Vikki Slade MP attended Bikeability session in Wimborne

Children in Dorset are gaining life-long cycling skills and confidence through hands-on training.

Pupils in Wimborne took part in a Bikeability session at Wimborne First School on Thursday, May 21, supported by Dorset Council.

Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, and Councillor Shane Bartlett, cabinet member for planning and ward councillor for Wimborne Minster, attended to support the session.

Vikki Slade MP said: "It’s great to see children in our area gaining the confidence to cycle safely. Bikeability is about much more than riding a bike, it helps children build awareness, independence and a sense of freedom. Supporting work like this helps young people travel actively and safely in their local communities and gives them life-long skills." Dorset Council delivers Bikeability training through a network of freelance instructors who organise and run the sessions. The council also manages grant funding, pays instructors, and ensures delivery aligns with the required guidance.

The programme is designed to be inclusive, with a fleet of bikes available for children who do not have their own and adaptations to support those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Rob Doyle, a national standard instructor, led the recent session, teaching pupils how to check their bikes, start and stop safely, and develop greater awareness of their surroundings.

In 2025/26, more than 3,000 Bikeability training places were delivered across the Dorset Council area, supported by £124,350 in funding from the Department for Transport.

Councillor Shane Bartlett said: "Bikeability gives children skills that stay with them for life. Learning how to control a bike, understand their surroundings and ride safely builds confidence from an early age. Programmes like this support healthier lifestyles and help families feel more confident about choosing active travel for short local journeys."Bikeability offers a range of courses, from beginner playground sessions to advanced on-the-road training, as well as options for adults, families, and bike bus leadership.

By encouraging active travel from a young age, the scheme aims to promote healthier communities, reduce traffic congestion, and support environmental goals through lower carbon emissions.

More information is available at the Dorset Council website. Article originally posted on the Dorset Echo, linked here