Cycle proficiency training scheme receives grant of �260,000.

A grant of �260,000 has been given to Devon County to continue a cycle training scheme.

Bikeability is a national initiative offering cycling proficiency training and the council expects around 6,500 school children to benefit from the training over the next year.

The grant will be used to deliver Level Two on road training for children aged nine to 14 and advance cycling for secondary school children.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, the cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “We have an excellent track record in delivering Bikeability cycle training and that has been recognised by the Government in providing us with this funding from April.

“Bikeability provides local school children with essential cycling skills and road safety awareness. So far, over 15,000 youngsters in the county have benefited from the scheme, providing them with the skills and confidence to cycle safely on our roads.

“Hopefully, the schoolchildren will be inspired to make more cycle trips, more safely, more often and will encourage their families to do the same.”

The county council is aiming for every primary school in Devon to host Bikeability Level Two courses for all children over nine years old and for every child leaving primary school to have successfully completed Level 2 training.

Devon will find out in February 2013 if it will receive a further �720,000 to deliver training to 18,000 children over the next two financial years.

For information or visit www.cycledevon.info/ or contact Colin Savage, Devon County Council sustainable travel officer by emailing colin.savage@devon.gov.uk or calling 01392 383490.