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Via receives 36 new bicycles from the Bikeability Trust

Via’s Bikeability team has received a donation of 36 new bicycles valued at £12,000 from the Bikeability Trust, a charity and leading authority on cycling education. The donation will enhance the team’s capacity to deliver crucial cycling training across Nottinghamshire.

The Bikeability programme is renowned for its inclusivity and impact and is designed to cater to individuals of all ages and abilities, to equip them with the skills to cycle safely. Via’s Bikeability team works in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) and over the last year, it has trained over 10,500 adults and young children in 211 schools across the county.

Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, expressed his support for the initiative and said, “The Bikeability programme has made a significant impact on schools throughout Nottinghamshire. We have received positive feedback from participating schools that highlight the programme's effectiveness in imparting essential cycling skills to children and adults of all abilities.”

Via’s Bikeability Team was lauded for their remarkable successes at an end-of-year celebration on 21 December at Via’s Bilsthorpe Depot. Emily Cherry, Chief Executive of the Bikeability Trust, expressed her gratitude for their efforts in a congratulatory video and further said, “My mission, through Bikeability training, is to get more people cycling more often and in a safer manner, and the dedicated Via Bikeability team is doing exactly that. Moreover, I want to make sure that by the end of primary school, every child has the confidence, knowledge and the skill to cycle.”

“The donation of these 36 bicycles will act as the driving force to broaden the team’s reach by giving them the resources to cater for more children across Nottinghamshire.”

The impact of the Bikeability training programme in Nottinghamshire has been highlighted by the positive feedback received from several schools in the region. Spectrum Wasp Group, a charity that supports parents with children and young people on the autistic spectrum with disabilities, special and additional needs and Abbey Primary School in Mansfield, are among the organisations that have expressed their appreciation for the programme's effectiveness and its impact on their students.

Spectrum Wasp Group provided glowing feedback on the programme which stated, “It was well organised with a structured approach and a team that effectively supported our children with special needs. By the end of the session, children who had never ridden a bike gained enough confidence to ride a bike with pedals. The parents were overwhelmed with emotion; one parent bought a bike immediately as a result of this.”

Similarly, Abbey Primary School in Mansfield, conveyed its gratitude and said, “We extend our sincere gratitude to the Via team for this year’s Bikeability training. It has been the best one we have had. All the children were excited and eager and the programme has run as smoothly as ever. We truly appreciate your continued support.”

The donation of the 36 new bicycles will significantly enhance the team’s ability to provide extensive and impactful cycling training programmes to schools throughout Nottinghamshire. The move will ensure that children who previously lacked suitable means will now have a greater opportunity to join the programme, extending its reach and broadening its impact.

To schedule Bikeability training for your school, please contact your school coordinator or Via’s Road Safety Team at cyclesafety@viaem.co.uk or call 0115 977 4375.