40,000 children complete Wiltshire Bikeability training
The Council run service say another 4,000 will go through it this year
More than 40,000 children have been successfully trained to cycle safely in Wiltshire - through the Council's Bikeability scheme.
We're told another 3,000-4,000 young people are also expected to complete the programme this year.
Bikeability is designed to provide riders with the skills and knowledge to cycle safely and confidently.
Wiltshire has a team of 25 active Bikeability instructors.
The Council's also been shortlisted for the Bikeability Trust’s Large Organisation of the Year Award, with the winner announced later this week (17th November).
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“Training more than 40,000 children to cycle safely is a remarkable achievement and is testament to the dedication and hard work of the programme's instructors, support team, and partners.
“We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for the Bikeability Trust award, which highlights our positive work – fingers crossed we can win the award!
“The success of Bikeability in Wiltshire is down to the close working relationship that our instructors have built with schools throughout the county over many years. Our dedicated instructors always go the extra mile to support school and community events, procure and fix spare bikes, and provide specialized training for riders with additional needs.
“In our Business Plan, we have committed to improving road safety and increasing sustainable transport, including cycling, in Wiltshire – and our hugely successful Bikeability programme does just that.”
The feedback from schools involved in the Bikeability programme has been positive too - one school representative said:
“All pupils, staff, and parents/carers were blown away with the course. In particular, the patience and kindness shown by the instructors was beyond all expectations.”