Surrey County Council has secured funding to support children who are on Free School Meals (FSM) to receive free cycling and walking training.
Feet First is a walking training programme for school children in Year 3 (aged 7-8 years old). Delivered by Surrey County Council’s walking instructors, children learn road safety skills to better enable them to safely walk to and from school with their parents and carers and prepare them for independent travel.
Launched in June 2022, more than 9,000 children have benefitted from the scheme.
Bikeability training helps children learn how to cycle safely and increases confidence in cycling. There are different levels of training available, starting with Year 4 aged children (8-9 year olds), up to Year 6 (10-11 year olds).
Surrey County Council says it is delighted the funding will ensure all school children can take advantage of the schemes.
Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth, said: “Every child should have the opportunity to cycle and walk to school safely, it is a great way to support a healthy lifestyle and encourage environmentally-friendly transport choices for the future. This is why we are making sure that those in receipt of Free School Meals will also receive free walking and cycling training for their trip to school.
“It is essential that children are safe, so I’m delighted that this funding will ensure all school children can take advantage of these vital road safety schemes and that no one is left behind.”
Good to hear but it is even more important to make sure that every child has a safe route to walk and cycle to school.
Paul Luton, Teddington
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