Ten and eleven-year-olds are getting vital tuition on how to stay safe on bikes or on foot, around Trafford roads.
The borough’s Bikeability course for year six pupils is going from strength to strength, with numbers rising steadily since the pandemic.
A total of 2,409 children benefited in 2024/25 at 52 of 71 primary schools in the borough, and 1,034 have taken part so far this financial year, since April.
Organised by the One Trafford partnership, funded by Active Travel England and delivered by NCA and Bikeright, the course spans two levels.
Bikeability teaches children how to maintain their bike and ride it smoothly while being aware of their surroundings, starting and stopping confidently and passing parked vehicles.
Signals, signs and road markings are covered as well as how to negotiate quiet junctions, crossroads and roundabouts.
A ‘learn to ride’ option is available too and was taken up by 200 youngsters in 2024/25 and 62 so far in 2025/26.
Figures are revealed during Road Safety Week 2025 – and Trafford schools that have not signed-up for Bikeability are encouraged to do so by emailing traffordtraffic@amey.co.uk.
The tuition opportunity is part of wider safety awareness brought to year six pupils via the Crucial Crew away day, a multi-agency safety and citizenship event designed improve awareness of risks and hazards.
The learning, led by Child Safety media, also focuses on decision-making skills, good citizenship, the role of the police and others, and transition to secondary school.
A total of 2,200 attended the road-safety component of Crucial Crew in 2024/25 and 2,000 are set to do so at the next one in January.
Cllr Aidan Williams, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change, said:
“The benefits of Bikeability and Crucial Crew are both preventative and enabling. It is about reducing the risk of harm as well as building confidence, responsibility and readiness for the next stage of education and life.
“At year six, it is generally accepted that children start to become more independent at this age and are often expected to cope increasingly on their own. Crucial Crew raises each participant’s awareness of potential threats and dangers, in a fun and interactive way.”