Recommendation 31

Bikeability Trust uses trainers to deliver cycle training. ATE and the Bikeability Trust, in their written submission to us, told us that often, local authorities do not directly employ these trainers and there can be complicated arrangements and criteria for becoming a trainer and delivering Bikeability training. In its written submission, Bikeability Trust raised concerns that delays to sufficient and long-term funding will hamper the ability to scale up equitably and overcome the current postcode lottery of Bikeability provision. It told us that it can take time for local authorities to agree contracts through complex procurement processes and any further delay in an announcement of funding for the Bikeability programme could lead to delays in cycle training delivery and entrench inequality in cycle training provision. ATE told us that it planned to review the approach to delivering Bikeability training to simplify the process for trainers.74 ATE told us that Bikeability training is an effective way to increase the safety of adults who cycle, and that the likelihood of an adult continuing to cycle increases once they have completed the training. ATE told us that it was looking at ways to extend the training to adults but that this will in part be down to the willingness of local authorities to fund adult training sessions.75 72 ATE0002, Written evidence submitted by Bikeability Trust 73 C&AG’s Report, para 2.9, Q37, Q38, Q41, Q42, Q43, Q44 74 Q 46; ATE0002, Written evidence submitted by Bikeability Trust 75 Q 39 Active travel in England 19