Cycle to School Week promotes safe and active travel across Devon

Starcross Primary School celebrated Cycle to School Week (5–9 October 2026) by giving students the opportunity to develop their cycling skills through Bikeability training.

The session, organised by The Bikeability Trust and Devon County Council, was attended by Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley and Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for transportation.

During the session on Wednesday 7 October, students practiced controlling their cycles around other road users, signalling, road positioning and hazard awareness.

Martin Wrigley and Councillor Hodgson observed the training and spoke with school staff about the benefits of Bikeability.

Bikeability gives schoolchildren lifelong skills to cycle safely and confidently on the road, while supporting their health and wellbeing.

This year marks 20 years since Devon County Council delivered its first Bikeability sessions in 2006/07. Since then, more than 132,000 children across the county have gained essential cycling and road safety skills through the programme.

Alphington Primary, Clyst St Mary Primary, Countess Wear Primary and St Peter’s Church of England Aided School were among the first schools to take part in 2006. All four remain signed up to the scheme today.

The Bikeability Trust manages, develops and promotes the national cycle training programme on behalf of the Department for Transport. Almost six million children have completed Bikeability since the programme began nationally in 2007.

The Trust estimates that families could save more than £1,000 a year by cycling to school instead of driving [1].

Choosing to cycle can also reduce the environmental impact of the school run. According to the Trust, 60% of the pollution children breathe each day is taken in during journeys to and from school [2].

Adults can also build their cycling skills by booking Devon County Council’s free confidence sessions through Active Devon. Delivered by qualified cycling instructors, the sessions can accommodate up to three people and can be tailored to all abilities and goals, from first-time riders to regular cyclists who want to improve their skills.^[1]

Schools and families can find out more about cycle training for children and adults on the Travel Devon cycle training webpages.^[1]

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for transportation, said:

“It was a pleasure to see the pupils at Starcross School putting their Bikeability skills into practice. They showed how training can help children become more aware of other road users, make safer decisions and complete journeys with greater independence.

“Cycle to School Week is a great opportunity to encourage more families to consider cycling for everyday journeys and to highlight the benefits it can bring for health, confidence and the environment.”

Devon County Councillor for Exminster and Haldon Alan Connett said:

“Cycle to School Week is an important opportunity to encourage more children and families to consider cycling as a safe, healthy and practical way to travel to school.

“Through Bikeability training, young people develop the skills, confidence and road awareness they need to cycle safely. By helping children establish active travel habits from an early age, we can support their wellbeing while also reducing congestion around our schools.”

[1] UK parents spend a year and travel 62,000+ miles on the school run – Family Friendly Working^[2]

[2] Schools | Clean Air Greater Manchester^[3]

About The Bikeability Trust

The Bikeability Trust is the charitable incorporated organisation with the vision to ensure everyone has the confidence to cycle and enjoy this skill for life. The Trust manages, develops and promotes Bikeability cycle training on behalf of the Department for Transport. Almost six million children have completed Bikeability since the programme began in 2007.

To see the impact of Bikeability cycle training, read our Monitoring & Evaluation report .^[4]

About Cycle to School Week

Cycle to School Week is sponsored by NatWest Rooster Money and supported by Squish and Batch.

In 2025, the event saw a record 427,596 pledges to cycle to school from children across the country, [i] with 21 visits from VIPs including Minister for Local Transport Lilian Greenwood MP and National Active Travel Commissioner for Active Travel England Chris Boardman MBE.^[5]

Pledges ranged from committing to cycling to school every day during the week to discovering somewhere new on a cycle, swapping one car journey for cycling, or cycling as a family.

[i] 427,596 pledges consisting of 697 individuals and families and 508 schools pledging on behalf of their pupils^[6]