Pedal power: Hull leads nation in children’s cycle training for second year
TOP PERFORMERS: Students at Sirius West Academy take part in a Bikeability training session
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Hull has again been confirmed as the top place in the country for the delivery of children’s cycle training, according to new figures from The Bikeability Trust.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, 87 per cent of Year 6 pupils in the city received either Level 1 or 2 Bikeability training (2,958 children in total), putting Hull joint first in England alongside Herefordshire Council.
Hull City Council is responsible for the full delivery of all Bikeability training in the city and has continued to take additional steps to reduce cancellations and increase participation, including the rollout of training to all primary schools in the city, catch-up sessions for pupils and support for children in Hull who are home educated.
This continued focus by the council and its local training providers, QTS and First Step Cycle, has resulted in the city being a top ten provider of children’s cycle training for four years running.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “Teaching young people the essential life skill of cycling is hugely important for their health, independence and mobility.
“Bikeability develops the skills and confidence children need to cycle safely and independently. It is also an important part of our wider commitment to road safety and to making cycling a safe and practical choice in Hull.
“Being joint top in England is a real achievement, but we want to go further. Our aim is to give every child in Hull the opportunity to leave primary school with the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to cycle safely.”
Emily Cherry MBE, chief executive of The Bikeability Trust, said: “Generation Cycle shows what happens when children are given the chance to learn, ride and thrive.
“In 2025-26, the Bikeability programme gave half-a-million children the skills and confidence to cycle and The Bikeability Trust’s wider work helped turn that training into ongoing behaviour change.
“We congratulate Hull City Council on reaching 87 per cent of Year 6 pupils with Bikeability and becoming a joint national leader in cycle training delivery – it’s this kind of ambition and commitment that helps make active travel a part of everyday life.”