NEARLY 2,000 children in Hounslow received cycle training last year - up by a quarter on 2009/10.

A total of 1,950 youngsters were given cycling lessons during 2010/11, according to the latest figures from Transport for London (TfL), compared with 1,560 the previous year.

Adults also benefited from help getting moving on two wheels, with 255 given lessons last year - a huge rise from just 92 in 2009/10.

Hounslow was eighth out of 32 London boroughs when it came to the total number of people benefiting from lessons.

Just over 40,000 children across the capital received cycle training last year - only a third of those eligible for the scheme, according to Green Party London Assembly Member Jenny Jones.

She accused London Mayor Boris Johnson of failing in his target to ensure all year six pupils receive 'level 2' cycle training by 2012.

"If we want future generations to cycle in London, then supporting cycle training in schools is the place to start," she said.

"Whilst these figures don't reflect the quality of the training provided by different boroughs, they do show that children in some boroughs have access to cycle training, whilst others have very little.

"The mayor did originally make a welcome commitment to all 10-year-olds having the opportunity to do some cycle training.

"I think he should take a more hands-on approach to cycling training in the boroughs, especially as TfL provides the bulk of the funding."