Learning to ride a bike may be considered child's play by some, but for a group of Muslim women, lessons are proving to be a breath of fresh air.

Thanks to an initiative being run by Gloucestershire County Council's Road Safety Partnership and the Friendship Cafe in Barton Street, women from the Barton and Tredworth area have hit the ground cycling.

One of the learners, Hasina Musaji-Miah, said: "I have children, and road safety is such an important issue.

"These lessons are really good to bring us up to scratch. I drive, but I cycle a lot as well.

"They can also enable us to pass on what we learn to other people by becoming instructors.

"I think it's a very important service for us."

The county council's cycling co-ordinator, Don Muir, said: "Women generally feel more intimidated by today's traffic conditions while minority groups can have more cultural barriers to taking up this type of training.

"That makes it a double challenge for these ladies and we are doing all we can to help them get the training they need to develop the skills to overcome those barriers".

Barton and Tredworth county councillor Sonia Friend (Lab) said: "I'm pleased that this initiative is happening in our community as it enables local women to participate in an activity which could help their wellbeing and our surroundings".

County council cabinet member for environment Stan Waddington (Con) said: "Barton and Tredworth was identified to us as an area where the benefits of cycling should be promoted.

"As well as the health and social benefits, we're also trying to improve the air quality in the area and this will have the twin benefit of reducing congestion and improve the local environment."