Schools and other community groups have praised a programme that teaches cycling skills to children and adults.

Via Bikeability has also received a donation of 36 new bicycles, worth £12,000, from the Bikeability Trust charity.

The project helps people of all ages and abilities, working in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council.

In the past year it trained more than 10,500 adults and young children in 211 schools across the county.

Coun Neil Clarke, cabinet member for Transport and Environment at the county council, said: “The Bikeability programme has made a significant impact on schools throughout Nottinghamshire.

“We have received positive feedback from participating schools that highlight the programme’s effectiveness in imparting essential cycling skills to children and adults of all abilities.”

The Via Bikeability team was praised at a celebration at Via’s Bilsthorpe Depot (below), when Emily Cherry, chief executive of the Bikeability Trust, said in a congratulatory video: “My mission, through Bikeability training is to get more people cycling more often and in a safer manner — and the dedicated Via Bikeability team is doing exactly that.

“Moreover, I want to make sure that by the end of primary school, every child has the confidence, knowledge, and the skill to cycle.

“The donation of these 36 bicycles will act as the driving force to broaden the team’s reach by giving them the resources to cater for more children across Nottinghamshire.”

The impact of the training programme was highlighted by positive feedback received from schools and community groups.

Spectrum Wasp Group, a charity that supports parents with children and young people on the autistic spectrum with disabilities, special and additional needs, said:

“It was well organised with a structured approach and a team that effectively supported our children with special needs.

“By the end of the session, children who had never ridden a bike gained enough confidence to ride a bike with pedals.

“Parents were overwhelmed with emotion — one parent bought a bike immediately as a result of this.”

Abbey Primary School, Mansfield, added: “We extend our sincere gratitude to the Via team for this year’s Bikeability training. It has been the best one we have had.

“All the children were excited and eager, and the programme has run as smoothly as ever.”