Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has presented certificates to pupils at Killean Primary School in County Down, marking their completion of the Cycling Proficiency Scheme as the Department for Infrastructure confirms £90,000 in funding to continue the road safety programme across Northern Ireland this year.
The scheme, which has trained more than half a million children over five decades, teaches primary school pupils how to cycle safely on roads, carry out bicycle safety checks, and understand traffic risks. It was controversially withdrawn in 2023 due to budget constraints before being restored under Minister Kimmins, though this year’s allocation represents a reduction from the previous year’s funding.
Minister Celebrates Success at Killean
Visiting the Newry school on 3 June 2026, Minister Kimmins handed out completion certificates to pupils who finished the 12-lesson programme. The Department confirmed that over 290 schools have expressed interest in participating this year, compared to approximately 4,000 pupils who completed the scheme in 2025.
Minister Kimmins said:
“Cycling is a great way to travel and improve health and I believe that children should learn of its many benefits and how to cycle safely from an early age.
This financial year I was pleased to be able to commit £90,000 to deliver the scheme and I am delighted that over 290 schools responded to express an interest in participating.
The Cycling Proficiency scheme is a valuable tool to help prepare young people for making good road safety decisions while cycling. By committing this funding, participating schoolchildren can again learn the essential skills required to cycle safely and with confidence. They are taught how to carry out various manoeuvres, the importance of looking and listening while out cycling, as well as helmet and bicycle checks and the proper use of gears.”
How the Scheme Works
The Cycling Proficiency Scheme is delivered by teachers within primary and special schools, supported by resources and training from the Department for Infrastructure’s Active Travel Team. The programme consists of 12 lessons, typically held after school, with each session lasting approximately one hour.
Children in Years 6 and 7 are taught to:
- Perform safety checks on bicycles before riding
- Use proper signalling and road positioning
- Wear helmets and high-visibility clothing correctly
- Execute manoeuvres including turning, overtaking parked cars, and emergency stops
- Understand relevant sections of the Highway Code
Assessment is flexible, with schools choosing between continuous assessment or a final test to determine competence. To participate, children must already be able to ride a bicycle and have access to a roadworthy bike—requirements that may exclude some pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Funding History and Sustainability Concerns
The scheme’s future has been uncertain in recent years. In 2023, the Department for Infrastructure withdrew funding, declaring it “no longer affordable” and forcing schools to pay instructors themselves if they wished to continue. The decision sparked criticism from road safety advocates and politicians, with MPs describing it as “scandalous” and questioning what price was being put on children’s safety.
Funding was restored in 2025 with a £100,000 commitment from Minister Kimmins, enabling thousands of children to participate. However, the 2026 allocation has been set at £90,000—a reduction of £10,000 despite rising costs and expanding interest from schools.
Research published by the Department indicates the programme delivers measurable safety benefits. A 2025 statistical survey found significant improvements in children’s road safety attitudes after completing the scheme, including increased helmet use and better awareness of reflective clothing requirements.
Access and Participation Challenges
While 290 schools have registered interest, previous years have seen gaps between registration and delivery. In 2025, 231 schools registered but only 66 completed the Department’s impact survey, with the majority located in rural areas (71%) rather than urban centres where traffic risks differ.
The requirement for participants to supply their own roadworthy bicycles may create barriers for families facing financial hardship, potentially skewing participation toward more affluent areas. The Department has not indicated whether funding is available to provide bicycles for children who lack them.
Questions for Stakeholders
As the scheme enters its latest phase, several questions remain:
- Why has funding been reduced from £100,000 to £90,000 when expressed interest from schools has increased?
- How will the Department ensure children without access to roadworthy bicycles or safety equipment can participate equitably?
- Given the proven impact on road safety statistics, should the Cycling Proficiency Scheme be protected as essential spending rather than remaining vulnerable to annual budget fluctuations?
- What targets has the Department set for participation numbers, and how will success be measured against the previous year’s delivery?
- Will the Department consider expanding the scheme to include on-road training elements, which currently require additional risk assessments and are rarely utilised?
What Happens Next
Schools wishing to participate in the 2026 programme must register with the Department for Infrastructure’s Active Travel Team. With interest from 290 schools already registered, delivery will likely continue through the autumn term and into 2027.
Observers will watch closely to see whether the £90,000 allocation proves sufficient to maintain quality and reach, or whether the programme faces further financial pressures in future budget rounds. For now, pupils at Killean Primary School and across the province have secured another year of formal cycling education—an outcome that, just three years ago, appeared uncertain.
For more information about the scheme, including how schools can register, visit the nidirect Cycling Proficiency Scheme page.