WARRINGTON Borough Council has won a prestigious award for its cycle training programme for children.
The council has been named “Local Authority of the Year” at the first Bikeability Awards launched by the Bikeability Trust.
Bikeability is the 21st century cycle training programme that replaced the former cycling proficiency test.
Main aim of the awards programme is to reward and promote the good work that the Bikeability industry and partners are doing. Nominees were assessed on how well they:
*raised the profile of and generating support for Bikeability
*established close partnership working with their appointed providers to help ensure the overall success of the Bikeability programme, and
*developed creative and innovative approaches to securing more training opportunities.
The nominations were assessed by a panel of independent, expert judges against a set of criteria for each award category.
Lesley Peterson, the council’s school travel adviser collected the award on behalf of the transport planning team.
Since 2007 Warrington Borough Council has been working with its appointed providers, Bikeright! of Manchester to successfully deliver Bikeability cycle training to nine and 10-year-old pupils in their schools, funded by a government grant. This grant has recently been extended to cover more advanced training for teenagers and parents, and a programme of rides and safety lessons has been developed for this year.
Cllr Hans Mundry, the council’s lead member for transport, said: “We are delighted for Warrington and the local delivery team for earning this illustrious award. To win the category of Local Authority of the Year in the inaugural awards programme is a fantastic achievement.
“Cycling has a positive impact on the wellbeing of young people and learning to do so safely gives them a life-skill and confidence to continue into later years.”
Warrington’s cycle map also greatly aids cycling in the town and more information on travelling sustainably can be found on the Travel Warrington web pages on travelwarrington.co.uk
Pictured with the award (right) is the council’s school travel adviser Lesley Paterson
Council wins top award for cycle training
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