A scheme to encourage children and young people in Cardiff to take up cycling will see 660 bikes delivered to schools across the city by the end of the month.
Cardiff Council’s Bike Fleet scheme provides schools with 20 bikes for pupils to use in school for the delivery of cycle training.
Each primary school also receives helmets, a 10ft recycled shipping container kitted out with secure storage, tool kit and pump, cycle training resources and lesson plans created by Cardiff Council’s road safety team.
Cllr Caro Wild, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: “This scheme will aim to increase the number of children taking part in cycling by embedding it into the curriculum.
“Being able to cycle safely and confidently is a life skill and promotes active travel in children and young people.
“This change of behaviour will have a positive impact on their lives and their futures, including improving physical and emotional wellbeing as well as reducing emissions for a greener environment to live in.”
Funded by the Welsh Government, the scheme is delivered by Cardiff Council in partnership with Welsh Cycling and British Cycling.
Dan Coast, Welsh Cycling development officer, said: “It’s great to see so many schools and the city’s young people so keen to be involved in this cycling programme.
“This programme is just one element of the work Welsh Cycling has done in partnership with Cardiff Council to help support a modal change in our transport habits whilst also providing a great initial introduction to the sport of cycling to hopefully unearth some more champions like Elinor Barker and Geraint Thomas.”
How about teaching them to wear a safety helmet and have basic lighting on their bikes? 2 of those ‘bicycles’ are so tiny they could have been removed from a birthday cake! I thought it was a legal requirement to have a front and rear reflector. I see kids going up and down the road and pavement pulling wheelies. I’ve never seen a cop stop one or breathalyse a cyclist or point a radar gun at them to see if they are exceeding 20mph…easily done.
Helen, Leeds
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