Wiltshire’s Bikeability programme nominated for national award

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 00:00

Wiltshire Council’s Bikeability programme has reached a significant milestone, with more than 40,000 children successfully trained to cycle safely.

An additional 3,000-4,000 children are expected to benefit from the training programme this year, as Bikeability continues to make a positive impact on the safety of young people in Wiltshire.

Bikeability is designed to provide children – and indeed adults – with the skills and knowledge to cycle safely and confidently. Wiltshire has a team of 25 active Bikeability instructors who provide training to more than 3,000 pupils each year.

To celebrate the success, the council has been shortlisted for the Bikeability Trust’s Large Organisation of the Year Award, with the winner announced on 17 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 overwhelmingly positive. 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.”

To find out more about Bikeability in Wiltshire, people should go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/transport-road-safety.

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