FREE training is creating confidence among the city’s nervous cyclists.

The city and county councils have teamed up to provide ‘Bikeability’ classes for adults in a bid to cut the number of deaths and injuries on the roads.

They are provided at a level suited to cyclists with some experience. The scheme comes after it was revealed that 72 cyclists were killed or seriously injured in Oxfordshire in 2012, compared to just 54 in 2009. The first graduates of the scheme have praised it, saying it has given them more confidence.

Ankeeta Munsi, 30, of East Oxford, had never cycled on the road before she took part in the training.

Now she says she’s ready to take on the challenge of becoming a regular cyclist in the city.

She said: “I think it gave me the confidence that I didn’t have at the beginning, and at the end I was able to cycle home all the way by myself. “Obviously I’m not great, but I can get better. It was good to see that I wasn’t the only one, that there wasn’t something wrong with me, because there were other beginners there.

“I think you don’t generally take the time and effort to put into practising something like this, but if there are other people around and you’re given a specific activity it offers more encouragement.”

The first raft of classes, funded by the city council to the tune of £2,000 and provided by the county council, is taking place this spring at various locations.

Mandy Rigault, the county council’s safety education team leader, said: “The main bulk of our work is with children in schools, but we run adult cycle training on demand.

“The council promotes sustainable travel, so we’re totally in favour of people cycling. It’s good for them as people, it’s good for the planet and for congestion, but it’s important they do it as safely as possible, and it’s important for them to be confident.

“So with the help of the city council we want to get as many people cycling as possible.”

City council board member for city development Colin Cook said: “These courses are fantastic as they give people the confidence to cycle in Oxford which can be a challenging experience. I hope people will take up these free courses and enjoy them.”

Places may be available on the remaining courses. For details, email DHaynes@oxford.gov.uk or call 01865 252566.

Futher sessions are at:

  • April 15, Cutteslowe Community Centre, Wren Road, 9am-12.30pm
  • April 16, West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Road, 9am-12.30pm
  • April 19, South Oxford, Bertie Place, 9am-12.30pm
  • April 29, Cowley Marsh, off Marsh Road, 9am-12.30pm
  • April 30, West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Road, 9am-noon