Lack of bike training cash 'could lead to deaths of children on region's roads'

Call for companies to help fund extra Bikeability training at cost of £50,000

Fears over the future of Cambridgeshire’s Bikeability safety scheme could lead to the deaths of children on the region’s roads, it has been claimed.

The warning came from Cllr David Jenkin, who told the county council’s health committee that it was “unacceptable” that measures that could potentially “save children’s lives” were not gaining any additional funding.

“We’re saying ‘we’d like to save your lives but we can’t afford it’,” he added. “I think it is wrong.”

The Bikeability training scheme, which offers cycle safety training for children, will not receive additional funding, and councillors are now calling on local companies to sponsor the scheme so it can continue to provide services.

On July 13, Cambridgeshire county council’s economy and environment committee resolved not to put up any additional funds for the scheme.

Mike Davies, team leader for cycling projects at CCC, said the pot of funding for the scheme from the Department for Transport had “remained the same”, but demand for the training had grown.

According to a report which went before the committee, more than 6,000 people are currently using the training. Councillors expressed fears that some people would not be able to have the training if no more funding is found.

Outspoken, the group which delivers the training, say if funding was not a constraint they could train even more people. The report says that to address future shortfalls, it is estimated that an additional £50,000 would be needed.

Cllr John Williams said: “There is a safety aspect. We want to reduce congestion in Cambridge city centre. One of the reasons people don’t cycle is that they are not confident. This training gives children at least the confidence to do that.”

Cllr Steve Tierney said the scheme was “quietly important” and said children needed to be made aware of how to cycle safely more than ever.

“I have seen some riders that are extremely dangerous,” said Cllr Tierney. “Kids don’t know. This is the sort of training kids need.”

Cllr Noel Kavanagh and others are now in talks with local companies to try to secure sponsorship for the scheme.

Mr Davies added that car parts and bike retailer Halfords had offered to sponsor the scheme nationally, but this might only bring £10,000 to Cambridgeshire.