Rosie has announced that Doncaster will receive £16,000 to provide cycle training to around 400 local school children by March 2009.
This funding is part of the Government’s record £140m national package announced in January, which will give up to half a million ten to eleven year olds across the country cycle training by 2012.
Cycling has a major role to play in the Government's drive 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.
Rosie Winterton MP said:
“Encouraging cycling also encourages healthier lifestyles. Considering obesity now affects around one quarter of adults and 1 in 10 children, encouraging people to take exercise has never been more important.
“At the same time congestion is getting worse. If parents can be satisfied their children can cycle safely they are more likely to let them use their bikes. And getting children cycling in Doncaster could even encourage their parents to dust off their own bikes.”
Mayor Martin Winter welcomed the announcement and said
“ Since I was elected Mayor, the health of our children has been one of my priorities. Today’s announcement of 400 more bikeability training places is good news for Doncaster. 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.
This training allows children to learn essential road safety skills and gain greater awareness of the dangers on the road – giving parents reassurance that their children are suitably equipped to use the roads and enjoy their bikes. The training is also complemented by Cycling England's funding of links to school from the National Cycle Network and increases in secure cycle parking at schools.