BRADFORD East MP, Imran Hussain, has praised the work done by a school and local group.in boosting pupils’ cycling proficiency.

Capital of Cycling (CoC), a Bradford-based community organisation, have been teaching pupils at Feversham Primary Academy about how to ride their bikes safely.

CoC have also donated dozens of free bikes to create an innovative ‘Bike Library’ that will allow children without bikes to borrow them over weekends.

Mr Hussain visited the school to present awards to CoC for encouraging pupils to adopt healthier and more active lifestyles.

He said: “This is a fantastic initiative that demonstrates the power of grassroots action, and I want to thank all those at CoC, Feversham Primary, and Bradford Moor PASS, who brought the pair together, for creating a partnership that will continue to not only teach children vital cycling skills, but encourage them to adopt healthier, active lifestyles by getting out and about on their bikes.

“With many disadvantaged children from Bradford’s deprived inner cities also attending Feversham Primary Academy, I also want to commend CoC for their incredible show of generosity by donating so many bikes to create Feversham’s ‘Bike Library’. I know that this will be a well-used resource by children who would otherwise not have the same opportunities.

“Ultimately we need to be promoting more of these initiatives and more of these partnerships across the city to help create healthier, active communities and to tackle what are growing health inequalities across Bradford, and any organisation that tackles these problems head-on like CoC and Bradford Moor PASS have my full support.”

Darren Reed, Project Officer at CoC, said: “We’re very grateful to be working alongside people with the vision, passion and dedication to make a difference, and especially grateful to Haroon Dad for going the extra mile and repairing school bikes at weekends, as well as taking the time to write for our newsletter, speak to our funders and appear on a podcast with cycling organisations from around the UK.

“We hope we will continue to work with Feversham Primary and support young people in taking advantage of the many physical and mental wellbeing positives of cycling and together contribute to growing a culture of cycling and active travel in the city with reduced car use, and a more liveable and sustainable Bradford.”

Molana Fazal Dad, Teacher at Feversham Primary Academy, said: “CoC have been amazing in teaching the kids at Feversham these core cycling and bike maintenance skills.

"With this experience and these skills, they’ve been encouraged to get out and about in cycling to and from school, as well as with their friends, and they’ll remember these valuable experiences for years to come.

“I also want to thank Imran Hussain MP for the continuous support that he’s always provided to community initiatives like these, and particularly for making time to come and visit us last week to recognise the work that CoC have done and the impact that they have had with his awards for their Project Officers and Director.”