Wokingham celebrates summer cycling success

A record number of school children have mastered riding a pedal bike, thanks to a partnership between TTC Cycling and Wokingham Borough Council.

None of the 168 youngsters from Berkshire could cycle before taking the Bikeability Learn to Ride scheme. But after a number of weekly sessions held in the summer – and lots of cycling fun along the way – 86 children have joined 82 others to successfully transition to a pedal bike. 

Credit: Stewart Turkington

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said: “I would like to congratulate all our young children who have mastered this fantastic skill over the summer, a skill that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. 

“I would encourage any parent wanting some help with teaching their child to ride a bike to get in contact with the My Journey team and get signed up to one of their weekly sessions.” 

The council’s My Journey team has been hosting sessions at FBC centre in Finchampstead and at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley, where children were invited to attend 2 consecutive sessions to learn to ride. 

Due to its continued success demand for the sessions has increased. To help accommodate as many enthusiastic wannabe cyclists as possible this summer, the My Journey team worked in partnership with TTC Cycling to deliver additional sessions at Floreat Montague Park Primary School in Wokingham. 

Over 2 weeks in August, 86 children attended the courses, bringing the total number of children trained this summer to 168.  

Brittany Eagle, for TTC Cycling, said: “As the UK’s largest cycle training provider, we have the capability to deliver a wide range of cycling courses for complete beginners through to experienced riders who want to develop their skills. 

“We supported Wokingham Borough Council’s My Journey team to deliver a series of Learn to Ride courses over the summer. The training takes place on a balance bike – lightweight bikes without pedals –  which helps children to quickly build up confidence on 2 wheels and transition onto pedal bikes.” 

The key to success for the Bikeability Learn to Ride course is partly down to the number of instructors, with the team able to offer 1 instructor for every 2 or 3 children.  

During the sessions, the team teaches children to balance, glide, steer and stop. Once they have mastered balancing, they move on to learning how to pedal.