Council delivers adaptive bikes to boost inclusive cycling for SEND students
19 December 2025
Four of these bikes are mobility-assisted, ensuring that students with physical disabilities can take part in inclusive Bikeability training for the first time.
Currently, The Bee Hive has not offered Bikeability training. This initiative bridges that gap by introducing both conventional and adaptive cycling instruction - providing access for students who may not own a bike or who require specialist equipment to ride safely.
The benefits of introducing Bikeability include:
- Helping SEND students achieve accredited Level 2 Bikeability outcomes
- Offering practical transport skills to promote independence, confidence and physical wellbeing
- Supporting community access and social inclusion
Mat Sentence, Deputy Headteacher at The Bee Hive, said: "Bikeability and cycle maintenance is something we’ve wanted to introduce at The Beehive for quite some time.
"This initiative gives our students the chance to learn essential skills – not just basic cycle maintenance, but more importantly, road safety and how to ride responsibly in the community.
"From the moment we mentioned this initiative, the response from our students has been incredible. So many have come forward, eager to take part. And we are excited to watch them grow more confident and safety-conscious when cycling in the community.
"With the bikes and resources available to us, this is also a fantastic opportunity to open the programme up to other schools in the area. It’s our way of giving back and showing gratitude for the support we’ve received."
This is the first step toward creating a local SEND Bikeability Training Centre at The Bee Hive who are committed to sharing equipment and training access with other SEND schools across West Northamptonshire, expanding the impact of this project far beyond its own cohort.
Councillor Richard Butler, Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to our partners at Kier for getting this project off the ground, and it’s fantastic to hear that The Bee Hive will be able to use these new bikes to enhance the lives of the young people under their care.”
Allan Rigby, General Manager at Kier Transportation, added: “Safety and accessibility are at the heart of everything we do. We were proud to play a key role in getting this initiative off the ground by securing the funding and working closely with Bikeability partners to purchase and deliver these bicycles. Supporting this project means more young people can experience the freedom of cycling in a safe and structured way.”
Bikeability, the government’s national cycle training programme, equips young riders with practical skills and confidence to cycle safely on today’s roads. In Northamptonshire, Bikeability training is delivered to schools and youth groups by Outspoken Training Ltd.