A RECORD number of children in Oxfordshire have been given life-saving cycle training by a team of dedicated volunteers.

In the last year 4,000 school children were taught how to cycle safely in traffic by about 700 volunteers, all of whom donate their time and expertise free of charge.

The free lessons are available to all county schools through the Oxfordshire County Council Road Safety Scheme.

Road safety officer Wendy Jennings said: “Oxfordshire is way ahead of many other areas in having this sort of scheme.

“We train an extraordinary amount of children. However, without the volunteers, none of it would be possible.”

Volunteers go to schools for a minimum of six hours, generally in sessions of one to one and a half hour sessions once or twice a week. At first the sessions are taken off-road, usually on the school playground, to test whether the child has good control of their bike. On-road sessions then teach children how to properly start and stop their bike, and how to make safe left and right turns off major roads on to minor routes, and vice versa.

Elizabeth Rockett, from Beckley, has volunteered with the scheme for the past six years with Beckley Primary School.

She said: “It’s been a joy to help these youngsters develop their decision making skills, and it’s surprising how quickly you see an improvement in their traffic skills and confidence.

“If my efforts save one child from injury then the whole six years will have been worthwhile.”

Once the sessions are completed, council officers give the children a two-part test on their road safety and the Highway Code, and award a certificate to successful trainees.

Mrs Jennings said the scheme had become more popular because of the credit crunch.

She added: “Parents are beginning to look at cheaper ways to get their children around and cycling also offers them a healthy and green option.

“Children love the freedom it gives them too.

“It’s such a great feeling to be able to train a child, knowing that when you leave them they will be much safer on the road.”

Mrs Jennings said the scheme was always on the lookout for more volunteers, who get full training. To join in, contact her on 01844 355963, or email wendy.jennings@oxfordshire.gov.uk awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk