£334,807 grant has Bikeability factor

ON yer bike . . . Councillor Fida Hussain, with children from Corpus Christi R.C. Primary School on the Bikeability scheme

OLDHAM youngsters will be put safely on their bikes after Oldham Council secured a £334,807 grant for lessons.

The Department of Transport cash will be used to help provide cycle training for primary school children across the borough.

The Bikeability programmes - which will run across Oldham's schools until March, 2020, - aim to help young people gain practical skills and understand how to ride safely on the nation's busy roads.

The training sessions aim to develop children's confidence in all types of cycling and improve skills such as balance, control, and journey planning for busier routes.

In addition to the core Bikeability sessions the Department for Transport has also introduced Bikeability Plus.

These are a series of modules designed to ensure that children are given the opportunities and skills they need to make cycling part of their everyday life, such as bike maintenance.

Councillor Fida Hussain, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "We are very pleased to have secured this grant. It's great news for Oldham children and we encourage everyone to take part in these sessions.

Confidence

"This programme will give our children the confidence and skills to ride safely on our roads and encourage more people to take up cycling - increasing physical activity, easing congestion on the roads and reducing the number of cars at school gates."

The courses have been running in schools since September.

They are provided to primary school children free of charge and are arranged through their school.

To find out more about the Bikeability training please contact 0161 770 4332 or visit bikeability.org.uk

Adults can also access free cycle training through Transport for Greater Manchester. Please visit cycling.tfgm.com for details.