Free cycling lessons for adults in Leeds

Socially distant cycle training is being made available by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to help encourage more people in the region to travel on two wheels.

The scheme is part of the WYCA’s city connect programme, which is aimed at enabling more people to travel by bike and on foot.

Coun Kim Groves, chairwoman of WYCA’s transport committee, said: “Two thirds of journeys in our region are less than five miles, which takes about 30-minutes by bike.

“Enabling increasing numbers of us to travel by bike and on foot is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health, transport and economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.

“Encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only saves individuals money and boosts people’s health, it also brings wider environmental and economic benefits, which is why we want to make cycling and walking short, everyday journeys a viable option for all our residents, regardless of age, ability or circumstance.”

From journey planning to cycling in traffic, and tackling busy junctions and roundabouts, WYCA claims the sessions are to give people the skills and confidence to travel by bike regularly.

The sessions are available to anyone aged 16 plus who lives in West Yorkshire. Participants must have access to a roadworthy bike and be confident cycling on traffic-free routes and, ideally, quiet residential streets.

An online map has also been created for residents to highlight areas where improvements are needed to help more people travel by bike or on foot.

Find out more information about the free adult cycle training and book a session at cyclecityconnect.co.uk/get-cycling/cyle-training.