Yesterday we were delighted to host Playing Out’s ‘Essential Street Play Training Day’ for local authorities at the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre.

British Cycling announced its collaboration with Playing Out in September 2019 ahead of the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire, with the aim of inspiring communities to close their streets to traffic and give children safe places on their doorstep to play out.

The Essential Street Play Training Day was attended by 27 organisations, and aimed to equip attendees with the skills and know-how to get children more active, create liveable, playable streets and build stronger communities. Playing Out staff and activators were on hand to share their knowledge and experience and provide vital networking opportunities for attendees.

British Cycling Legacy Programme Manager, Steph Allmark, said:

“We know that there is so much enthusiasm amongst parents for getting their children playing outdoors and living healthier, happier lives, and today was a great opportunity to spread that message with local authorities and hopefully showcase just how easy it is to achieve.

“We’re really proud to be working closely with Playing Out and hope that the collaboration can continue to enable more children to get outdoors and on bikes in the future.”

Play Streets Development Officer at Playing Out, Lucy Colbeck, said:

“It’s exciting to see so many northern local authorities taking up the Play Streets baton. We’ve had brilliant feedback from the day and hosting it at the HSBC UK National Cycle Centre was just one of the many ways that British Cycling are supporting us to grow the national play streets movement for children and communities.”

Find out more about Playing Out here.