Thirty young cyclists at Mayflower High School in Billericay have successfully completed enhanced cycling training as part of the school's new travel plan developed in partnership with Essex County Council's Sustainable Travel Planning Team.
Bikeability Level 3 Training Completed
The Year 7 students undertook the national cycle training programme, Bikeability, designed to build confidence and teach safe cycling in traffic. The course, offered for the first time at the school, initially had 20 places but was expanded to 30 due to high demand.
Emma Cooke, associate assistant headteacher, said: "This is the first time we have offered the Level 3 Bikeability course at school, and I was really pleased with the uptake. We were offered 20 places initially, but then increased that number to 30."
School Travel Plan Aims
The travel plan aims to reduce traffic levels around the school and improve students' road safety. Bikeability gives young people the confidence and skills to cycle safely and enjoy this lifelong activity. Level 3 training enhances cycling skills in more challenging traffic environments, including navigating complex junctions, roundabouts, and traffic lights.
Students were assessed off-road before refreshing skills from Level 2 and progressing to Level 3. All 30 students passed and received certificates in assembly.
Broader County Strategy
The Essex Travel Plan is part of a wider strategy to reduce residents' reliance on cars, cut private car use, and tackle congestion, particularly outside schools.
