A learn-to-ride facility is part of a series of new cycling provisions to be installed across Liverpool this year.
The local authority is to pump hundreds of thousands of pounds into transforming an underused concrete amphitheatre into the city’s first purpose-built children's learn-to-ride facility. The £330,000 “Mini-Roads” scheme will include a new cycle track situated in Everton Park, which has been designed to imitate a realistic road layout, with junctions and crossings.
Funded by both Liverpool Council, using Section 106 monies, and British Cycling, via its Places to Ride scheme, the half a kilometre long facility aims to attract and encourage thousands of youngsters to start pedalling. Highways contractor Dowhigh Ltd has been appointed to the project, which as well as new surface works, will include the installation of railings, tables and benches, asphalt and soft-play surfacing to provide an all-year round community asset.
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The scheme, which will focus primarily on children aged two-seven, is a key element in the local authority’s active travel and clean air strategies and it will also link up to the existing cycle network in the north of the city. As well as the Mini-Roads project, work on a new cycle lane to connect Everton Park to nearby routes is also set to start later this month, with the council looking to deliver a further six permanent new cycle lanes across the city throughout 2023.
The new learn-to-ride facility, which already has planning permission, is scheduled to open by Easter and will be publicly accessible, including for those with adaptive cycles. Liverpool Council has partnered with not-for-profit community organisation Peloton Liverpool – which already operates the BMX track in Everton Park – to host and deliver a programme of cycle sessions at the facility over the next five years.
As part of the agreement, Peloton Liverpool will be provided with a container, workshop tools, balance bikes and associated accessories to host the cycling sessions. Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for climate change and highways, said: “We want Liverpool to be a great cycling city, and to do that we need to provide facilities which encourage our youngsters to get on their bike and develop a life-long habit of enjoying being on two wheels.
“This Mini-Roads project is going to provide a fantastic learning experience for our children to become confident riding around the city. This is a long-term investment which should benefit many thousands of children in the decade to come.
“I’m delighted it’s being created in Everton Park as it will provide a great boost to the infrastructure and pro-cycling environment that is already flourishing there, thanks to organisations like Peloton Liverpool and its connections to local schools and community groups in and around north Liverpool.”
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