MORE than 1,200 people across the region have benefitted from free adult cycle training, new figures show.

The sessions are provided – at various venues – as part of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s £60 million CityConnect programme, aimed at encouraging more people to travel by bike or on foot.

Tuition on offer includes learning to ride for the first time, cycling in traffic, tackling busy junctions and bike maintenance, and one-to-one sessions can be provided on specific routes.

The sessions are staged in partnership with training provider BikeRight!

Over 350 people, including jobseekers and apprentices, have also received bikes through the initiative.

Councillor Kim Groves, chairman of the combined authority’s transport committee, said: “Cycling can open-up many new opportunities for jobseekers by providing affordable travel options for shift work or to workplaces usually only accessible by car.

“We know that encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only boosts people’s health and saves individuals money, but also brings wider environmental and economic benefits. That is why we want to make cycling and walking short, everyday journeys a viable option for everyone across West Yorkshire.

“We’d like as many people as possible to make the most of our free adult cycle training.”

For more details and to book a place, visit cyclecityconnect.co.uk/cycle-training or call 01274 753556.