Pedal Power: Local Transport Minister saddles up with Oxfordshire Fire Service to get children active
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-24)

Bikeability scheme will help children gain confidence with cycling, while reducing carbon emissions and easing pressure on our NHS.

- Oxfordshire schoolchildren joined by Local Transport Minister on Bikeability cycling training, helping more children stay active
- Bikeability, backed by the Department for Transport, gives children across England the skills and confidence to cycle safely and independently
- follows nearly £300 million government boost to build 300 miles of new cycleways and pavements, easing pressure on the NHS, helping to deliver our Plan for Change
Primary school children in Oxfordshire are joined by the Local Transport Minister today (24 October 2025) for cycling training from Bikeability (https://www.bikeability.org.uk/), the national training scheme helping thousands of children gain the confidence and life skills to enjoy cycling.

Bikeability, funded by the Department for Transport, is on a mission to activate a nation of cyclists by ensuring every child can enjoy the independence, fun and health benefits of cycling. In Oxfordshire, the scheme is delivered by the county council’s Fire and Rescue Service Road Safety Team, bringing a unique community spirit and knowledge to the sessions and has trained more than 7,000 children in the county.

Today, Lilian Greenwood is taking part in training to see how the government’s commitment to get more children cycling, walking and wheeling to school is being put into action.

Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

Cycling to school is a great way for children to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and build healthy habits that last a lifetime.

It not only supports physical and mental well-being, but also helps to reduce traffic, cut carbon emissions and ease pressure on the NHS – a key part of our Plan for Change. This government is supporting more active travel across the country, with a £300 million boost this year to build hundreds of miles of new cycleways and pavements.

Currently, around 43% of primary and 30% of secondary school children are driven to school across England, with school drop-offs making up a quarter of all morning rush hour trips in London.

The government has committed £616 million of funding over the next 4 years for active travel (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/englands-mayors-gather-to-pledge-national-walking-wheeling-and-cycling-network-backed-by-government), as announced in the last Spending Review (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-review-2025-document).

This is on top of £300 million announced in February, which is expected to deliver up to 300 miles of new cycle lanes and pavements across England, save 40,000 NHS sick days and deliver £1.4 billion in economic benefits, as part of the government’s Plan for Change (https://www.gov.uk/missions).

Emily Cherry, Chief Executive for Bikeability Trust, said:

Almost 6 million children have received Bikeability cycle training since the programme began in 2007. Our ambition is that no child leaves primary school without level 2 on-road cycle training, which we know has a lasting impact on safety, confidence and behaviour.

With a record nearly half a million (over 430,000) children taking part in Cycle to School Week, this success reflects the government’s commitment to active travel and shows how cycling can be a safe, healthy and enjoyable choice for families across the country.

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