A LABOUR-controlled county council would invest in more cycling proficiency training to encourage more people back into cycling on the county’s roads.
Leader of the Labour Group Robin Lunn (Redditch North) said: “To make cycling more attractive and to enable people who cycled as children and teenagers but have not done so for many years, we want them to be able to do so safely.
“As a result, we will introduce Cycling Proficiency training in Redditch, Worcester, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Stourport, Droitwich, Evesham, Malvern and Pershore.
“To help and to encourage people to return to cycling, we will also offer a ‘Try before you buy’ scheme, where we will rent bicycles out to residents who wish to take part in the new cycling proficiency scheme.
“Buying a new bike is a considerable purchase. People feel nervous about a large outlay of money if they don’t know if they will enjoy cycling again. This way we will make cycling both accessible and safe.”
This will encourage people to get back into the saddle, have a couple of hours’ refresher training with appropriate safety and enable them to rediscover the joys of travel.
The benefits of cycling are immense for people’s fitness, health and general sense of well-being.
It also encourages people to make shorter journeys without using their cars and benefits the environment.
Coun Lunn added Labour supports all forms of transport but believes cycling should be encouraged in every way.
“You cannot just expect people to get on a bike when they have not done so for 40 years but, by encouraging and making available safety training, we believe you will see a consistent upturn in people cycling on the county’s roads.”
