Ready to Ride offers free bike training through schools

British Cycling and HSBC UK, in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, are to launch a new programme in schools with the aim of ensuring that every child in the UK is given the opportunity to learn to ride a bike.

The launch of HSBC UK Ready Set Ride follows research conducted by the three organisations which found that 43% of teachers say they do not have the skills or confidence to support children learning to ride.

It also revealed that children aged four to seven years are falling behind when it comes to developing physical literacy and fundamental movement skills, which has a knock-on effect on their likelihood to continue being active in later years.

Lisa McHendry, Assistant Director at national children’s charity Youth Sport Trust, said:

“Our joint research has shown that having participated in the pilot, 80% of teachers said they now feel they have the skills and confidence to support children to cycle. We want to help families, with the support of schools, to introduce pedalling to playtime and be part of a child’s learn to ride journey.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with HSBC UK and British Cycling to develop Ready Set Ride.”

Groups of schools across the country will now be offered free training led by the charity to teach children as young as two the joy of learning to ride and exploring the world on two wheels. The resources have already been piloted in over 123 schools with over 11,000 young people in England.

Ready Set Ride breaks down learning to ride a bike into three easy to follow steps which can be done at school or at home with parents. It is delivered through a series of online videos, an easy to understand, bite size resource pack, and is supported by fun games and activities to develop a child’s skills both on and off the bike. All digital resources are available to download for free.

Lisa added: “With the renewed Primary PE and Sport Premium funding confirmed, over a quarter of schools we have engaged have said they are using this funding to support them to get more children learning to ride. The initiative is a perfect complement to the Department for Transport funded Bikeability scheme which ensures that once children are able to ride they are equipped to cycle safely.”

The three organisations developed the programme to get more children outdoors and on their bikes - championing the message that you don’t need to be an expert to teach children to ride.

British Cycling chief executive Julie Harrington said: “Our shared vision with HSBC UK is to help turn Britain into a happier, healthier and greener nation, and to do that it is vital that we equip our children with the skills they need to ride a bike at a young age.

“We’ve been delighted by how Ready Set Ride has been received in its pilot phase and we are delighted to be able to launch the initiative nationally.”

Nicola White, a PE teacher for KS1 and KS2 from Hodge Clough Primary School who is using Ready Set Ride, said: “We encounter so many children who can’t ride a bike. The cards are really simple and the kids love taking part so this is a brilliant pathway.”

For more information and for groups of schools looking to apply to receive free training visit https://readysetride.co.uk/schools.