Carla Lockhart said:
“The decision by the Department to withdraw funding to deliver the cycling proficiency programme is deeply regrettable. The Department has stressed issues around active and sustainable travel yet they are removing a programme which teaches the next generation the skills to cycle safely. That is inconsistent and illogical.
If we are to properly encourage safe active travel amongst everyone in our society then the best time to start this is as a child. I remember doing my cycling proficiency at school and to pass the test gave a great deal of personal achievement. The Department is taking this away from children too.
I have written to the Permanent Secretary to urge the Department to reconsider this short-sighted decision. I know that difficult choices lie ahead, but we have to ask what price we put on children’s safety?”