Bikeability impact 2025/26: 2,677 pupils trained across Erdington and Sutton Coldfield

During 2025/26, Aspire Active Education trained 2,677 pupils across 49 schools in Erdington and Sutton Coldfield, with children spending 11,560+ hours cycling.

Bikeability was delivered on behalf of Birmingham City Council and The Bikeability Trust.

Those figures show the scale of this year’s delivery, but behind them are children starting from very different places. 

Some already felt comfortable on two wheels. Others had never ridden independently before. For some, simply getting onto a bike and having a go was a big achievement.

That’s where some of this year’s most meaningful impact can be seen.

Confidence can be the biggest milestone

Children arrive at Bikeability sessions with different levels of experience and confidence.

Some are ready to build on skills they already have. Others need more time, reassurance and encouragement before they feel comfortable riding.

One parent told us:

“In seven years, I haven’t managed to get my son on a bike. In just a few hours, Joolz achieved what we hadn’t managed in seven years.”

Another parent described how their son, Amar, was very anxious about riding but was supported with kindness and patience.

A third family told us their daughter had arrived with real anxiety around cycling, but had progressed so much that they had since been out riding together.

Feedback like this shows the difference the right support can make.

For some children, progress means further developing their skills. For others, it can mean getting onto a bike for the first time and realising they can do it.

Supporting children from their first ride onwards

Our 2025/26 Bikeability delivery supported pupils at different stages of their cycling development.

Some began with Balance Bike Training or Learn to Ride, while others progressed through Bikeability Levels 1, 2 and 3.

During the year:

• 154 pupils took part in Balance Bike Training
• 391 pupils were supported through Learn to Ride
• 516 pupils took part in Level 1
• 1,562 pupils took part in combined Level 1 and Level 2 training
• 54 pupils took part in Level 3

This range of delivery allowed us to support children from their earliest experiences on a bike through to more confident road riding.

Want to understand more about the first stage of Bikeability? Read our Bikeability Level 1 guide

For the full breakdown of pupils trained and hours spent cycling at each stage, take a look at our Bikeability Impact Report 2025/26.

Why Bikeability matters beyond the bike

Learning to cycle is an important skill, but the benefits can go further than the session itself.

Our 2025/26 Impact Report highlights how Bikeability supports:

• safer journeys to school
• improved physical health
• greater confidence and wellbeing
• independent, active travel habits

The report also highlights national evidence showing that cycle training can improve wellbeing, increase the likelihood of active travel and help build lifelong healthy habits.

For children and families, that can mean more opportunities to be active, enjoy cycling together and build confidence that can continue beyond the training itself.

What schools are seeing

Schools have seen the impact of Bikeability first-hand.

Michael Dinnery from Springhill High School said:

“For students who had never learnt to ride a bike before, this has truly been life-changing.”

Amber Weir from Springhill High School added:

“The team were friendly and professional throughout, giving our students the confidence they needed to succeed.”

Every pupil starts with a different level of experience, so progress can look different from one child to the next.

The feedback from schools and families helps show what those headline numbers can mean on an individual level.

17 years of Bikeability impact across North Birmingham

The achievements of 2025/26 build on many years of local Bikeability delivery.

Over the past 17 years, Aspire Active Education has delivered Bikeability to 22,000+ children at over 70 schools across North Birmingham.

That represents thousands of opportunities for children to develop cycling skills, build confidence and become more comfortable on two wheels.

We’re proud of what has been achieved so far, and we’re continuing to build on it.

Looking ahead

Our focus is on continuing to grow and strengthen Bikeability delivery.

We’re working to:

• strengthen delivery across Erdington and Sutton Coldfield
• support the development of new instructors
• contribute to a sustainable, city-wide Bikeability offer

Because every child deserves the opportunity to ride with confidence.

Read our Bikeability Impact Report 2025/26

Want to explore this year’s results in more detail?

Our Bikeability Impact Report 2025/26 includes the full programme breakdown alongside feedback from schools and parents who have seen the impact first-hand.

Read the full Bikeability Impact Report 2025/26 

Bring Bikeability to your school

Would you like to help your pupils develop essential cycling skills, confidence and greater independence?

Aspire Active Education delivers Bikeability across Erdington and Sutton Coldfield, supporting children from their first experiences on a bike through to more confident road riding.

Explore our Bikeability programmes for primary schools to find out more about the training available and how we can support your pupils.

Alternatively, email info@aaeg.co.uk to speak to our team.

Help your pupils take the next step towards riding with confidence.