Bikeability

Response:

This will vary between local authorities. There is already an extensive range of cycle training in England mainly funded by local authorities. Some do provide child cycle training entirely free, while others operate subsidised schemes – often to enable more children to be trained. The DfT’s new grant of £5million per year to support Cycling England’s ‘Young People’ programme will be invested in getting more children trained to the National Standard than ever before. It will allow those local authorities already adopting this training to increase their numbers of trainers, and others to get started. Special consideration will be given to children in deprived areas, and with the help and advice of the DfES, certain schools will be able to offer training free. In addition, there are many independent providers willing to train adults as well as children who offer training schemes at competitive rates. A series of lessons to achieve Level 2 would typically cost £40 - £60. The award itself costs only a few pounds. In order that the award scheme is sustainable and long-lasting, a small charge must be made to cover the costs of materials and Cycling England recommends that the cost of the badge and certificate should be included in the overall cost of the training itself. In those cases where local authorities make a separate charge to parents, we do not anticipate the cost to be more than £2.50 to £3.00