Saddle up for safety courses

4.22.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Aug 2006

Richmond Council is calling on fledgling cyclists to take advantage of its road safety training courses. The Council's Safety Education Team trains more than 2,000 youngsters and many adults every year, giving them the skills and confidence to cycle safely on the borough's roads.

With the Council spearheading local efforts to encourage more people to travel by bike, Cllr David Trigg, Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking, wants safety to keep pace with burgeoning bike use.

Commenting on the courses, he said:

"Encouraging more people of all ages to find healthier and greener forms of transport is one of the main aims of this Council.

"Cycling is cheap, green and healthy and helps cut traffic congestion as we work to make Richmond upon Thames the most sustainable borough in London.

"These excellent courses give cyclists the confidence and skills to safely navigate the borough's roads and I urge anyone making the switch to two wheels to sign up."

During the summer, the Safety Education Team has been teaching youngsters how to prepare themselves and their bikes for riding on the road.

The lessons, held on school playgrounds and nearby roads, include starting and stopping techniques, dealing with junctions and theory lessons on the Highway Code.

The next course for adults of all abilities starts on Wednesday, 6 September, at 6.30pm in Twickenham. It consists of four one-and-a-half hour evening sessions and costs £20.

For more information about cycling courses, please call the Safety Education Team on 020 8487 5131 or email safety-education@richmond.gov.uk.