26 children in Year 6 took part in a cycling proficiency course this week, run by Bikeability. Bikeability is the government’s national cycle training programme. It helps children learn practical skills and understand how to cycle on today’s roads.

Level 1 of the course focused on how to make simple repairs and learning to control the bike including setting off, cruising, slowing down and braking.

For those who passed Level 1, the next level taught the children how to start and stop with more confidence, pass stationary vehicles parked on a road, understand the road: signals, signs and road markings and how to negotiate the road.

Most of the children who took part will take to the road on their bikes from September to get to and from secondary school, with some children already using this mode of transport now.

Although the weather did take a turn for the worse all the children enjoyed the activity, coming back slightly soggy but thoroughly buzzing with excitement. In fact, the consensus was that riding in the rain is so much more fun than being dry!

“If you like riding your bike, this is the thing for you!”

“The course was fun and the teachers were reassuring.”

“It helped me develop new skills.”

“I loved riding in the rain!”

“I finally got to ride my bike … a long, long way.”

“I enjoyed going out on the open road.”