The life cycle!

Rugby Borough Council's Community Safety Wardens have pedalled their way to a new qualification - to help youngsters stay safe.

The Wardens have been taking part in a Bikeability training course held by Cycle Training West Midlands at the Council offices in the town centre. The qualification will allow them to take children and adults through their Bikeability certificates - the modern equivalent of the Cycling Proficiency Scheme.

The course was led by cycling instructor Andy Fleming, who took them up to Level 3 training - allowing the wardens to instruct older children and adults on the open road.

The scheme was the brainchild of Community Safety Warden Emma Malt, who suggested getting wardens involved after a meeting in Bilton where residents said children could not take part in cycle training because of a lack of instructors.

Caroline Evans, Community Safety Warden Supervisor, said: "It escalated from there. We looked at the possibility of becoming instructors and Bikeability in Wolverhampton gifted us the funding for the course.

"The Community Safety Partnership has funded the equipment and with the support of Warwickshire County Council we have taken the course. We have passed the instructors course and will now need to be accredited by taking a number of groups of children through the course."

The wardens now hope to take their cycling skills courses not only to the Borough's schools, but also to summer activity schemes and youth organisations. They will also encourage youngsters to learn about bike maintenance through 'Cyclefit' courses.

Caroline added: "We're all about community safety and part of that is making sure youngsters can ride safely, and make sure their bikes are safe to ride."

The wardens were helped to become more mobile thanks to the support of Thornton's Cycles in Cambridge Street and now they have their 'wheels' they will be able to patrol the area more thoroughly.

Councilor Leigh Hunt, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Inclusive Communities, said: "This is a really exciting initiative and should be a real hit with youngsters in the Borough.

"Cycling is not only a healthy way to get to school, it's also good for the environment. It's also great for people who live near schools, as the more youngsters’ cycle to school, the fewer cars are parked outside the gates. I really hope schools and other youth groups take up the initiative."