Grant provides free cycling lessons for children (From Haringey Independent)

Mayor of London grant provides free cycling lessons for children in Haringey

9:28am Monday 13th February 2012 in News By Hannah Raven

Pupils in Haringey have the opportunity to take up free cycling lessons as part of the Mayor of London’s Cycle Grants for Schools scheme.

St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Risley Avenue Primary School and Haringey Primary School have each been promised grants of £3,000 to put towards cycling clubs.

The grants will be spent on cycling lessons, pool bikes and helmets. They will also be put towards tools so children can be taught how to look after their bikes.

St Paul’s Catholic School business manager, Helen Panayiotou, said: "It’s such a great opportunity. Many of our schoolchildren don’t have gardens to practice in, so this is will allow them to build confidence."

She added: "School budgets are tight and we don’t usually have enough spaces on the council cycling proficiency schemes, but this means children won’t miss out."

The school also hopes to introduce after-school lessons to children in Year 4 to Year 6 after Easter.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "We want the joys of cycling to be available to everyone, and children in outer London schools will now be able to join in, gain confidence and perhaps inspire the rest of their families to get peddling too."

It is hoped the scheme will boost children's confidence and promote a healthier, more active lifestyle at a time when childhood obesity levels are rising.