CHILDREN in Horsham district schools will be offered free bicycle training, as part of a new scheme to improve their know-how and safety on the road.
Year 6 pupils will be offered the intermediate level two course free, which is an updated version of the old cycle proficiency test.
Reinvented as 'Bikeability', there will also be basic level one and advanced level three courses available, which
will get children up to the Government-approved National Standard for Cycle Training.
Derek Whittington, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: "Bikeability will give our children the necessary skills to ride a bike safely throughout the rest of their lives.
"At the same time they can enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
"The added benefit of this scheme is that we will ultimately be able to offer the more advanced level three training to secondary school age children and adults."
The standard, which sets out the training and skills essential for safe cycling in today's road conditions, has been developed by over 20 organisations and is maintained by the professional body for cycle training, the Cycle Training Standards Board.
The scheme is being launched by the West Sussex County Road Safety Team working jointly with the School Sports Partnerships.
The council already provides cycling training for nearly 9,000 children in the county every year.
