Adults offered free cycling lessons in Devon

Active Devon said it was providing cycling lessons across the county for adults

People who cannot ride a bike or are not confident doing so in Devon are being offered free cycling tuition lessons.

Active Devon said it was providing lessons across the county for adults by showing them how to navigate the roads safely.

The company said more people cycling would reduce carbon emissions and get more people active.

Director Louise Marshall said the sessions could provide a real boost to "nervous" riders.

She said: "It builds confidence and skills in people to be able to cycle so it's fantastic.

"It takes you from looking at your bike, knowing how a bike works, and they take you off-road or on-road depending on what you want to be working on."

Instructor Andy Smith said he was helping people navigate the roads

The sessions are being led by nationally-qualified instructors including Andy Smith.

He said there were "lots of people who think they're really good cyclists, but they're just lucky".

"I'm actually teaching people how to have the skills to make sure their bike is in a place where the drivers can always see them and everybody gets to their destination happy and safe," he said.

'Build up confidence'

During one session, Niki Warner said it had been 20 years since she last cycled.

"I was a bit nervous before I got on, I was a little bit wobbly to start with but I think once I was shown how to use the gears it felt more comfortable," she said.

Lucy Crocker said she wanted to "build up some confidence" using her bike and hoped to cycle to work now, and Jess Mccanley said she wanted to "go out at the weekend" and cycle with her two children.