New-look Bikeability service to launch next year, with Ancaster school playing integral part

Changes to Lincolnshire's cycle safety programme could help more children learn how to stay safe out on the roads.
Lincolnshire County Council offices in Lincoln. EMN-150909-170439001Lincolnshire County Council offices in Lincoln. EMN-150909-170439001
Lincolnshire County Council offices in Lincoln. EMN-150909-170439001

From September, the Lincolnshire County Council will be changing the way it runs the Bikeability scheme, which provides on-road training to children.

The training has previously been co-ordinated on the council’s behalf by four local schools. However, with changes to school involvement, the authority is moving the service in-house.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In addition, for the first time, all schools in the county will be able to arrange to borrow bikes for the training. Previously, certain schools could ask the instructor to bring spare bikes for those who didn’t have one, but this service was not available in all areas. That meant some children could potentially have missed out if they were unable to bring a bike themselves.

Phil Watt, Bikeability and cycling officer at the county council, said: “It’s always preferable for children to do the training on their own bike.

“Not only does it make sense for them to use the bike they’ll actually be riding out on the road, but our instructor can also give their bike a health-check to make sure it’s safe.

“However, we realise this isn’t always possible. Under the new-look service, all schools can arrange to borrow bikes from one of our four new cycle hubs. That might not be as convenient as having the instructor bring them to you, but we think this is a price worth paying if it means all children will have the opportunity to take part, no matter where they go to school.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One of the four new cycle hubs will be located at Ancaster Primary School.

If any other schools are interested in being a hub, they can contact the team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01522 550593.