Cllr Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader of Bath & North East Somerset, and Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, have praised The Bikeability Trust for their cycling training which is helping local residents of all ages become confident cyclists.

Wera Hobhouse is the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport and Cllr Sarah Warren is Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Transport. Both are committed cyclists. 

Bikeability is a national charity which has over 3000 active cycle instructors delivering to nearly 500,000 children through Active Travel England grant funding. This scheme has already delivered training to more than 4 million children since 2007. 

To mark Cycle to School Week, Cllr Sarah Warren met with Bikeability Trust CEO Emily Cherry, Benoit Cuvier, Bikeability Project Officer and instructor, and local resident Kim Kyi Chaw May who is very enthusiastic about the training she has been receiving from Adrian Vatcher at Odd Down cycle track.

Bath resident Kim Kyi Chaw May commented on her experience of cycling training:

“As an architect committed to sustainable design, I try my best to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. For instance, I mostly shop local and have been vegetarian for 10 years. I signed up with Bikeability as I wish to choose a sustainable commute to work through the ‘cycle-to-work’ scheme provided at my workplace. The training sessions that Adrian has provided me with have given me confidence and the skills I need to bike safely.”

 Cllr Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said:

“I am delighted that 900 children in our area were trained to cycle last year. It was lovely to meet one of the adults taking up cycling training. We are so proud of the Bikeability team who are doing a great job. My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are committed to improving cycling infrastructure in our local area and to getting everyone trained so that they can take full advantage of it as we are committed to providing real transport choice.”

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented:

 “Cycling is a healthy, environmentally friendly way to get about. Bikeability’s training enables people of all ages to become competent and confident cyclists. I look forward to seeing their training expanded further and taken up by more Bath schools. I also encourage adults to access training so that they can rediscover the joys of cycling.” 

Emily Cherry, Chief Executive of the Bikeability Trust, said:

 “It was a pleasure to catch up with the team in Bath & North East Somerset to discuss our achievements as well as the challenges we face. We are very excited that the government has recognised the value of our programme by committing 2-year funding which will include £50 million to expand Bikeability cycle training to a million more young people nationally. Cycle training is currently not on the curriculum. We would love to see this have a statutory target in the same way swimming is seen as a life-saving skill.”