Deganwy pupils benefit from Bike Ability scheme

A Community Beat Manager is helping pupils to learn the skills needed to ride their bikes safely on the roads.




PC Mark Howell-Walmsley has introduced a 'Bike Ability Scheme' which is currently being piloted across Wales. Its aim is to encourage both children and adults to ride their bikes confidently on the roads and improve overall road safety awareness.




Over the past few days, the officer has been at Ysgol Deganwy teaching pupils the skills they need so they can go out and about on their bikes and enjoy the countryside. "Ysgol Deganwy is part of a safer routes to school package and this initiative ties in with its aims and objectives," said PC Howell-Walmsley. "We are trying to encourage children to ride safely. From a policing prospective it works exceptionally well as we are improving road safety awareness of the children and we are also improving road safety awareness of the motorists as when they see a large number of children on the roads in their high visibility vests they are giving us extra space on the roads."




As the children grow up and become drivers their awareness of cyclists will also be hightened.




PC Howell-Walmsley is a keen cyclist and in November was one on the first to attend a four-day 'Cycle Experience' instructor course which saw him qualify to teach others. Pupils at Ysgol Bro Gwydir in Llanrwst were the first to benefit from such a curse last week.




"Previously, cycle training was confined to the playground however the new qualification sees us deliver a comprehensive training package," added PC Howell-Walmsley. "Over the course of a few days, the pupils progress from riding in the playground or a similar safe environment to going out on the roads, enabling them to experience reality and of course develop their skills and confidence."




He added: "I'd like to thank the school for their support, the pupils have done extremely well. I hope they have enjoyed the experience and will want to continue going out on their bikes and riding safely."




Teacher Angela Gunn of Ysgol Deganwy said: "I am very pleased to see the children take part in the Bike Ability programme. It has been great for them to learn the skills, mainly for riding the bike safely to school."




Pupils in other schools in Llanddulas and Llanfairfechan are set to benefit from the scheme in the very near future.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• North
• Wales
• Police
• BikeAbility
• Cycle
• Scheme
• Deganwy
• Conwy

[EmergencyVehiclesUK]

Great Video!