Written by Emily Cherry, CEO Bikeability Trust
Sheffield – The Outdoor City – a city where cyclists commute, hit the mountain bike trails, and tackle hills that have been part of some of the biggest cycling races in history.
Whilst it’s been almost a decade since the Tour de France whizzed through the city’s suburbs, Sheffield continues to be a place of pedal power – and you need a lot of power for all those hills!
It was in Sheffield that I had one of my most proud moments as CEO of Bikeability. I was visiting a school on the outskirts of the city with champion cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, who was Active Travel Commissioner for South Yorkshire at the time, to see some Bikeability cycle training in action.
One girl raised her hand and said: “I didn’t know how to ride a bike before Bikeability came to school. At first, I kept struggling but then I managed to do it and I feel really proud of myself.”
It’s stories like that that make me proud to be at the helm – or should that be handlebars – of the Bikeability Trust, the organisation responsible for delivering the government’s national cycle training programme. That young girl in Sheffield is one of more than four million children who have learnt to cycle confidently on our roads with Bikeability since 2007. By 2025 it’s our ambition to give every child in England the opportunity to learn to cycle with Bikeability.
Emily Cherry with then Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey at a Bikeability session
In 2021/22 we taught 3,256 children to cycle in Sheffield, and Bikeability does more than just teach an essential life skill. We’re helping children and their families to live more active and healthier lives, whilst protecting the health of the planet and tackling climate change. Research shows that cycling at a young age has a long-term beneficial impact on the health of children right through to adulthood. With studies showing that cycling provides positive experiences, enjoyment, self-esteem, reduced stress, and improved mood.
Cycling infrastructure is improving in Sheffield. With new cycling routes such in the city centre and Sheaf Valley, as well as low traffic neighbourhoods in Crookes and Nether Edge. It’s becoming easier for families to choose to cycle. But as a mum, I know that’s easier said than done. Even if your children are expert cyclists away from traffic, the thought of letting them loose on the roads for the first time can be daunting. But with Bikeability Family, we bring the whole household together to tackle the tricky bits of starting out on the roads.
We know children are much more likely to become cyclists if they see the grownups in their lives travelling by pedal power. Bikeability Family gives the whole family the opportunity to take part in a bespoke session with one of our expert instructors to gain cycling confidence together. They’ll help you practice common journeys so you can leave the car at home and cycle to school, the shops, or just for fun!
This October, we’re asking children and their families to put their cycling skills to the test as Cycle to School Week returns from 3 – 7 October. With Bikeability leading the way with continued support from Sustrans, we’re celebrating and promoting cycling to get more pupils travelling by pedal power to school.
My children are old enough to cycle themselves to school now – it would be far too embarrassing for them to be seen with me! But when they were younger, I really valued the time we spent cycling to school. It was the perfect opportunity to get some exercise in before lessons and have a chat about the day ahead – so they felt physically and mentally prepared for school.
Individuals can get involved in Cycle to School Week by pledging to cycle more on the Bikeability website, with exciting prizes up for grabs for those who take part. I’ll be pledging to discover somewhere new on a cycle ride! There are lots of ways for schools to get involved too, with presentations, activities and lesson plans available to promote cycling all year round.
Cycle to School Week is just one thing Bikeability is doing to get kids cycling. We’re working with councils, community groups and corporate partners to give more children and their families the opportunity to gain cycling confidence. Follow @BikeabilityUK on social media to keep up with our latest news.
Find out more about Cycle to School Week or search for a Bikeability course near you.