Tuesday 18 March 2008

For immediate use 

Grant Announced to Provide Cycle Training for Children

1380 more children to get cycle training in Hove and Brighton.

Today Transport Minister Rosie Winterton announced that Brighton and Hove will receive £55,200 to provide cycle training to 1380 local school children by March 2009. 

This funding is part of the £3million announced today by the Government as one part of a national package which will give up to half a million ten to eleven year olds across the country cycle training by 2012. 

Celia Barlow MP welcomed the announcement and said: ”The health of our children is a priority for all of us in Hove. Today’s announcement of £55,200 for Bikeability training places is good news. It will help encourage more of our children to get regular exercise.” 

The funding will support the new National Cycle Training Standard being promoted in England by Cycling England as Bikeability - the new cycling proficiency for the 21st century. 

Cycling plays a role in helping to promote sustainable travel – 41% of all trips are less than two miles, a distance easily cycled in less than 15 minutes. Bikeability training gives children and parents the skills and confidence to cycle safely on today's busy roads, enabling them to undertake short journeys, for example cycling to school.  

Earlier this year, Celia Barlow MP backed a £140 million initiative to promote cycling to all age groups in Hove.

Ends