South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 02/04/2012

The council’s road safety team will be visiting The Mall during the first week of the Easter school holidays (2 – 5 April) as part of their regular programme of road safety activities. 

The ‘Bikeability’ cycle training sessions are aimed at children in school years 3 and 4 (between seven and nine years old) and two nationally accredited cycle trainers will be on hand to coach children in the safe handling of the bicycles. 

Each of the four days will have a morning and afternoon session and Mall staff will also be offered a chance to brush up on their safe cycling skills. Staff can also learn about the environmental benefits of cycling, with an opportunity to try out one of several electric bicycles. 

Other activities available from the council’s road safety team include a free driver eye screening session, helping drivers check their safety behind the wheel. There will also be the chance to try a drive on the council’s driving simulator. 

Executive member for transport Brian Allinson said “South Gloucestershire is not only a great place to live and work, it’s also very safe with one of the lowest number of road safety incidents in the country. The council takes road safety very seriously and these events are just one of the ways in which we are bringing the road safety message to children and other road users. 

“I encourage all parents and youngsters who are planning a visit to The Mall this Easter to make sure they pay the road safety team a visit and join in one of these valuable sessions.” 

Jon Edwards, Commercial Director at The Mall welcomed the initiative: “The Bikeability event is a great chance for shoppers to bring their children and have cycle training whilst learning more about road safety themselves. 

“Working in partnership with the council’s road safety team is a wonderful opportunity for us to support the idea of a safe road network for our customers when they visit The Mall and encourage our staff and shoppers to consider alternative methods of transport to and from The Mall.” 

Training will take place outside the main entrance of The Mall (outside WH Smith) and places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Morning sessions begin at 10am and afternoon sessions at 13.30. Both last approximately two hours. 

Also in attendance will be members of the Sustainable Transport Team who work within the local area. 

Further information on the council’s road safety team is available at www.southglos.gov.uk/roadsafety