Scott is 500th child to pass bicycle test scheme (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Scott is 500th child to pass bicycle test scheme

8:00am Friday 30th July 2010

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CYCLE Colchester has helped make 500 children safer on the streets.

Scott Dingwall, a pupil at Highwoods Community Primary School, in Tynedale Square, recently became the 500th success story when he picked up his Bikeability level two certificate.

The number could reach 1,000 after the summer holidays with many more children having already completed level one training.

The scheme is designed to give people the skills and confidence needed to be safe and to enjoy Cycling – and the children also get a goodie bag.

Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council’s cycle champion, said: “Bikeability training is really important to achieving our goal of encouraging more people to cycle more safely, more often, and it’s great to hear so many children are already feeling the benefits this training can bring.”

Cycle Colchester schemes are available to adults to help them discover the benefits of cycling.

Pam Nelson, of the Colchester Cycling Campaign, said: “Bikeability offers a great way of helping people of all ages to gain the skills and confidence they need to cycle on roads and cycle paths.

“I am sure Scott and his classmates will be cycling more now as a result.”

Level one certificates are awarded to new cyclists who have learned how to control their bike and to ride off-road, while level two moves them on to quiet roads and cycle lanes.

Colchester has been named as one of 18 town and cities given “cycling town” status in England.

The Cycle Colchester scheme is being funded by a £2.1million grant from Cycling England and similar funding from Essex County Council.

The aim is to promote and encourage cycling and to develop a comprehensive cycle network around the town by March 2011.

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