CYCLE training to keep children safe on the roads is being cut for 1,100 primary school pupils across North Yorkshire.

The move comes just over a week before the Tour de Yorkshire is due to arrive in the county.

North Yorkshire County Council, which runs Bikeability training courses for ten and 11 year-olds, said numbers are being cut from 4,100 to 3,000 this year after the Department for Transport reduced funding nationwide.

But there have been calls for the authority to think again and try harder to come up with the £50,000 needed to ensure all schools can be offered the training.

The budget from the Department for Transport was cut to £119,000 two years ago.

Last year the authority found the extra £50,000 through road safety group 95 Alive to keep all Bikeability courses going.

The authority said it could not find the extra money this year.

Instead, the council said courses will be targeted at schools in areas where statistics show there are road safety issues.

Independent county councillor John Blackie said the authority must look again to find the money. “It is disappointing that the government has cut this budget, but the safety of our children is paramount. They need training.

"We know there have been accidents involving young children, and cycling also encourages children to take that all-important physical exercise. In the great scheme of things I wouldn’t think £50,000 would be too hard to find.”

A cycling enthusiast, who asked not to be named, added: “So much is spent promoting the Tour de Yorkshire, what is the point if the money isn’t there to teach children to cycle safely?”

Laura Hales of Cycling UK said the cuts are disappointing. “We want to encourage more people to cycle for the obvious benefits. Cutting cycle training to save money is short-sighted. People want to learn how to cycle safely and assertively and training plays a vital part in giving them the confidence to ride on the road,” she added.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for transport, said road safety teams will be contacting schools in target areas to arrange training to ensure it is offered where it is most needed. He said the council will also be examining road safety budgets.