EVERY year thousands of cyclists are involved in road traffic accidents with more than 2,500 killed or seriously injured in 2001.

About one quarter of the cyclists killed and one third of those injured were children. The statistics serve as a pressing reminder of the importance of road safety and the need to teach these basic lessons to younger generations.

This is exactly the crusade Evesham Volunteer Centre manager Helen Gray has decided to take up. "When I began working here in April, I was very aware that a lot of the projects we did concerned older people," she said.

"I wanted to start up a scheme that helped people at the opposite end of the age range. Starting a cycling safety scheme in schools seemed like the perfect way to help younger people in the Vale."

Mrs Gray has joined forces with Andrew Long, Worcestershire County Council's area road safety officer for Wychavon. They are now seeking volunteers to teach the bronze and silver safety schemes to first and middle school pupils.

Mr Long said: "I would like more people to take an interest in this area because safe cycling is important. At the end of the day it is education and you would be putting a little bit back into the community."

The road safety officer currently teaches all the cycling schemes himself, which are offered to any school that wants to take part: "My remit is road safety education in general and it would be great if we managed to get enough volunteers running the cycle safety schemes."

Mr Long added: "It would be nice to get about five or six volunteers to take part - anything above zero is an improvement at the moment!" Volunteers for the scheme can also claim generous expenses of up to £50.

Volunteers will be fully trained to teach the council's bronze and silver safety schemes. The bronze award is aimed at nine-year-olds and is generally conducted in the school playground. It teaches children bicycle control exercises and the pupils complete a small tick-box quiz at the end of the course, which often takes just a day to complete.

The silver award is taught to pupils from 10 years upwards. This more advanced course takes children cycling along the roads and teaches them about awareness and road signs. It is completed in two-hour sessions over a five-day period.

Mr Long said: "Each course is designed so the children will not go out of sight of an adult at any time. The volunteers we are looking for must be prepared to make a commitment and also be police checked."

"People also need to be active and confident as they will be expected to teach between eight and 20 children in a session. But most of the sessions are done in a working day so we are not talking about early starts or late finishes."

Anyone who would be interested in becoming a volunteer for the cycle safety scheme or would like more information should contact Helen Gray on 01386 40165. Alternatively call in to the Evesham Volunteer Centre on Oat Street.