New figures from the Bikeability Trust show over 60,000 children in Yorkshire and the Humber got pedalling with Bikeability cycle training between April 2022 and March 2023.
Leeds emerged as a top performing authority by providing cycle training to 79% of the 10,406 year 6 pupils in 2023.
Across England (excluding London), 461,886 pupils received Bikeability training between April 2022 and March 2023, with 61,156 of those children living in Yorkshire and Humber.
Bikeability cycle training equips children with vital life skills. Pupils not only learn to cycle, but they also gain independence, social skills, and a sense of wellbeing. After Bikeability, children are better at responding to risk and report increased confidence. As a result, more children cycle to school which in turn improves mental health and wellbeing.
This allows children to get more out of the classroom, improving their attention span and engagement. Healthier habits lead to increased attendance and improved academic results. Bikeability isn’t just a training course; it impacts children’s lives.
Image: Bikability Trust
Bikeability Trust has also been promoting cycling among predominantly Asian children in Bradford through the ‘Widening Participation Project.’
The project, as per its 2022 report has engaged over 1000 children in Bradford across six schools making cycling normal.
Aadam, Aneesa, and Zack are just some of the students from Dixons 6th Form Academy in Bradford enrolled on the Cycling Enrichment Programme and have been able to see significant benefits.
Aadam and Zack both had an interest in cycling though limited knowledge about how to engage in cycling. Aneesa was relatively new to cycling. They all quickly became the most active students on the programme and rapidly developed their skills. Aneesa hadn’t ridden for six years so took a while to feel confident on the bike and to have the skills to ride safely on the roads.
Bikeability Trust Chief Executive Emily Cherry said: “I’m so proud of the 61,156 children in Yorkshire and the Humber who can now enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of cycling and will have the skills and confidence to be able to make more sustainable transport choices for the rest of their lives. Well done to you all, and huge thanks to our brilliant instructors and training providers in Yorkshire and the Humber, who are so committed to teaching young people this essential life skill.
“But we know we have further to go. We are on a mission to ensure no child leaves school without the knowledge, confidence, and opportunity to cycle. We know that government shares that ambition, and we were pleased to see the commitment to give every child access to Bikeability cycle training reiterated in Active Travel England’s recent Corporate Plan.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved in 2022, as outlined in our newly published impact report the coming years will see Bikeability expand to areas previously unreached, helping us to deliver training to even more people. And we will continue to break down barriers to unlock cycling for everyone who wants to join in.”
