Pedal power for Wimborne pupils supported by local leaders

Children at a Dorset primary school were joined by local leaders recently for a cycling training session where all they needed was a bike, a helmet and plenty of enthusiasm. 

Accompanying them for the playground-based cycling session at Wimborne First School were Vikki Slade MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole and Cllr Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Planning and ward member for Wimborne Minster. 

Dorset Council delivers the courses through freelance instructors, who are responsible for organising and running the sessions.  

The sessions are overseen and supported by the council to provide free Bikeability cycle training across the county for all schools. We also manage the grant funding, pay the instructors, and ensure delivery aligns with the required guidance. 

In addition, a fleet of bikes is held by instructors to support inclusivity, enabling children without access to a bike to take part. 

Rob Doyle, national standard instructor, taught the children to practise essential cycling skills, check that their bikes were roadworthy, start and stop safely, and develop awareness of their surroundings while riding. 

Vikki Slade MP, Mid Dorset & North Poole, said: “It’s great to see children in our area gaining the confidence to cycle safely. Bikeability is about much more than riding a bike, it helps children build awareness, independence and a sense of freedom.  

“Supporting work like this helps young people travel actively and safely in their local communities and gives them life-long skills.” 

In the 2025/26 financial year, 3,053 Bikeability training places were delivered across the Dorset Council area, supported by £124,350 of funding from the Department for Transport. 

Dorset Council ward member for Wimborne and Cabinet member for Planning, Cllr Shane Bartlett, said: “Bikeability gives children skills that stay with them for life. Learning how to control a bike, understand their surroundings and ride safely builds confidence from an early age.  

“Programmes like this support healthier lifestyles and help families feel more confident about choosing active travel for short local journeys.” 

Training is inclusive and designed to meet a wide range of needs, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.  

By helping children build cycling skills early, the programme supports healthier communities, reduces traffic congestion and contributes to cutting carbon emissions. 

Bikeability offers multiple levels of training, from basic playground sessions to advanced on-the-road cycling, plus courses for adults, families, bike bus leadership and more.

Find out more about Bikeability courses in Dorset 

The session took place on Thursday 21 May 2026.

In the photo: Children from Wimborne First School with (left to right) Aaron Hearne MBE from Bikeability Trust; Vikki Slade MP; Rob Doyle, Bikeability trainer; and Cllr Shane Bartlett.