Oxford advised to give its residents more cycle training

Oxford has been advised to train more of its residents – in particular children – in how to ride a bike when it receives Government cycling-dedicated funding

(Image credit: Chris Catchpole)

Oxford is one of eight Cycling Ambition Cities that deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced on Thursday would be the shared recipients of £114m to improve each city’s cycling network and accessibility over the course of the next three years.

The Government’s Bikeability training initiative currently trains up to 250 children at a cost of £10,000 each year in Oxford but it is an area that requires more funding, according a local bike shop owner.

Sam Chappel, of Broken Spoke, told the Oxford Mail: “Oxford is very behind in its cycling training in schools.

“The county council doesn’t make the most of it [Bikeability funds], they don’t see it as a problem. The money would be better spent in raising awareness, tuition and training.”

Other ideas that have been mooted when the funds are awarded to the city are separate green lights for cyclists at junctions to allow them to restart before cars.

“I want more provision for cyclists at junctions. If we want to get people out of their cars and on their bikes we have to make cycling a more enjoyable experience,” Cllr John Tanner said.

“I’d like to see a joined-up network of cycle routes across the city. We want a situation so that wherever you are in Oxford there is a safe cycle route to get you to where you are going.”

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Chris Marshall-Bell

A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and feature writing across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013.


Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in a number of places, but mostly in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.


He lives in Valencia, Spain.