Bikeability Support Contract Signifies Government Commitment

The Department for Transport (DfT) today announced a new contract to provide day to day Bikeability support services.

This follows a commitment given earlier this year by the DfT to support and provide funding contributions for Bikeability for the remainder of the parliament.

£11m has been made available for cycle training during financial year 2011/12. This is helping to deliver up to 275,000 cycle training places to school children aged between 10 -11.

Transport Consultancy firm Steer Davies Gleave have won a competitive tender process to manage the day to day running of the Bikeability programme. Previously this work was shared between four different contracts. Using a single supplier to provide support will save an estimated £1.2m over the next three and a half years.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "This government is strongly committed to cycling. Enabling children to learn to cycle safely and confidently on today’s roads plays a valuable role in creating a new generation of cyclists. That is why we took the decision to safeguard the future of Bikeability with the aim of giving as many children as possible the opportunity to take part in Bikeability cycle training.

"Bikeability promotes the benefits of cycling as a healthy and enjoyable way of getting around. On a wider level it helps to reduce congestion, gives children more opportunities for exercise, and plays a part in the fight against climate change."

The rules for Local Highway Authorities and School Games Organiser Host Schools (formally School Sports Partnerships) who receive Bikeability grants are also being changed to allow more flexibility of grant use. Examples include offering training to a greater age range. Currently training is aimed at year 6 school children but the changes mean that children ranging between school years 5-9 (aged 9-14) will now get the opportunity. Grant recipients will also be able to consider offering the more advanced Level 3 training. This covers complex road situations to support children cycling in busier areas.

Peter Zanzottera, Bikeability Support Manager, said: "Steer Davies is proud to be associated with Bikeability as we have been since it started in 2007. With this new contract we offer continuity to all of the stakeholders, parents and children and we anticipate new products and initiatives to swell the numbers of new cyclists."

(BMcN/CD)