CYCLE safety training is to be offered for £5-a-session in Oxford in a bid to curb bike accidents.

Oxford City Council has teamed up with a bike co-op to offer the training at the discounted price.

It comes following concern over a rise in county road collisions where cyclists suffered an injury, from 236 in 2010 to 304 in 2012.

The one-to-one sessions will last an hour to two hours on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year and start next week.

Cyclists will first learn to control and master their bike away from traffic and then navigate busy traffic.

The Broken Spoke Bike Co-op sessions – usual cost £35 – are for any adult in Oxford.

Cyclist Colin Cook, executive board member for city development, said: “The subsidised on-road cycle training is part of the Oxford Cycle City initiative being led by the city council which aims to increase cycling and improve the cycling experience in Oxford.

“There are lots of cyclists in Oxford but it can be a bit daunting to cycle on the roads, so this training will help boost people’s confidence.

“I am pleased that we are working with Broken Spoke to provide further training for local people to encourage them out on their bikes in 2014.”

Sessions will take place on the trainee’s own bike with their own safety equipment.

Green city councillor and Broken Spoke Co-op trustee Elise Benjamin said: “Affordable cycle safety training is desperately needed.

“The county has seen an increase in the number of accidents involving cyclists – bucking the national trend.

“We would also like improvements to the cycling infrastructure and awareness training for drivers, who in many cases are responsible for the accidents. Sometimes only simple improvements are necessary.”

  • To book visit bsbcoop.org/cycling-courses.