Birmingham 2022 legacy project to get more people cycling launched at Birmingham school
Published: Monday 20 Jun 2022
Pupils from Anglesey Primary School in Lozells became the first to benefit from a new £2 million scheme to get more people cycling.
They were able to experience cycle skills training sessions and find out about cycle care and maintenance through the new Cycling for Everyone project, which is part of the United by Birmingham 2022 community legacy programme.
Cycling for Everyone is targeted at communities in some of the region's most deprived areas and, alongside new infrastructure, help them get on their bikes and cycle more often.
Youngsters from Angelsey Primary School enjoy their cycle skills training with lead instructor Naheem Aziz (green top) and West Midlands Cycling and Walking Commissioner Adam Tranter
The programme delivered by behaviour change specialists includes:
- adult and child cycle training
- free West Midlands Cycle Hire minutes for people on lower incomes
- bike maintenance
- community events
- workplace and school active travel challenges
- adapted cycle loans, such as trike, handcycle and recumbent cycles, supporting disabled people to cycle
- bike give aways
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has set up the scheme as part of its plans to increase levels of cycling and walking to improve people's health and the environment by cutting car use for shorter journeys. Encouraging a shift from cars to cycling and walking for shorter journeys is also part of the region's #wm2041 plan to achieve net-zero carbon over the next two decades.
In parallel TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is working with partner councils to invest in cycling infrastructure - including safe cycle routes and lanes, more cycle storage facilities and active travel zones.
Adam Tranter, West Midlands Cycling and Walking Commissioner, said: The Commonwealth Games is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region and I want to ensure all communities across the region get to experience the benefits of its legacy.
The way we move is changing and the Cycling for Everyone programme - when combined with new and safe active travel infrastructure - will help people realise the benefits of cycling both individually and for our communities
More from Adam Tranter on his visit to Angelsey Primary School and Cycling for Everyone
Paul Doddridge, head teacher at Angelsey School said: The children enjoyed their sessions and have learned a lot about how to cycle safely. These skills will stay with them for life and are great for their physical and mental health.
I hope we will see more of the children cycling to school in the future
Cycling for Everyone is funded by the Department for Transport. Walking and cycling minister Trudy Harrison said: TfWM has fantastic ambitions to increase levels of walking and cycling across the region, which improves people's health and makes our communities nicer places to live and work.
These ambitions support the Government's own commitments, including £2 million for the Commonwealth Games legacy initiative to give people the confidence, skills and means to get around easily and safely
To find out more about Cycling for Everyone and if it is available in your area visit the website: tfwm.org.uk/c4e