63% OF PEOPLE IN WALES SUPPORT FREE CYCLE TRAINING FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN, CYCLING UK SURVEY FINDS

• Offering free cycle training to every school child in Wales is one of 11 asks in Cycling UK’s Welsh election manifesto
• Support for this measure is strongest among young people, with 72% of 16- to 24-year-olds in favour

Cycling UK has found strong support for one of the policies the national cycling charity has campaigned for in its Welsh election manifesto: free cycle training for school children.

A survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the cycling charity asked people to what extent they would support the next Welsh Government funding a Wales-wide cycle programme that offers free cycling training to every school child. Overall, 63% said they would either strongly support or somewhat support such a scheme, while only 9% opposed it.

Support was strongest among younger people, with 72% of those aged 16-24 in favour, compared to 57% of those aged 65-plus. Levels of support were not significantly affected by either social class or location within Wales.

Gwenda Owen, Cycling UK engagement officer for Wales, commented: “This survey shows majority support, and minimal opposition, for the next Welsh Government to commit to offering free cycle training for every school child in Wales.

“Cycling UK has already seen that young people in particular support our aim of securing 10% of the total transport budget for active travel, but while investment in infrastructure is essential, it needs to be supported with revenue funding for cycle training and initiatives to nudge people’s travel behaviours.

“All voters, but especially young voters, are giving politicians a clear message that they expect investment in cycle lanes and infrastructure, supported by measures to encourage and enable more people to cycle, to make cycling an option for everyone in Wales.”

Securing a pledge to offer free cycle training to every school child in Wales is one of 11 asks for the next Welsh Government set out by Cycling UK in its manifesto for cycling, which was published in February ahead of the Senedd elections on 6 May.

The document sets out a vision to make Wales a nation where cycling is for everyone: where more everyday journeys are active travel journeys, where the countryside is more accessible, the air is cleaner and people’s health and wellbeing are prioritised.