MORE than 9,300 schoolchildren in Devon will be taught how to ride a bicycle safely on the road from April thanks to a government grant.

Devon County Council has been given a “Bikeability” funding award of £451,000. It comes as part of £3.9 million of funding recently announced by the government and Active Travel England for cycling and walking projects in Devon.

“It’s great that we’re able to continue delivering this excellent training to thousands of schoolchildren, who are the cyclists of tomorrow as well as today,” Devon County Council Cabinet Member Cllr Stuart Hughes said.

“Bikeability is a sound investment in improving the safety, health and wellbeing of our schoolchildren in Devon, and getting people of all ages on their bikes is also important for the environment, so this latest funding is extremely welcome.”

Almost 120,000 youngsters across the county have benefitted from Bikeability cycle training over the past 19 years.