CedarBridge Academy students are not taking part in the Project Ride initiative that would teach them riding skills.

When contacted yesterday Dennis Glasford, Transport Control Department's Project Ride Coordinator, described the project as "running comfortably''.

But he said it was not as full as it could be.

And Mr. Glasford added that he would love to see it become a mandatory course.

"It would lessen the problems on the roads,'' he said.

The programme at Berkeley Institute was running well. The school had two cycles that were maintained by TCD and its students were progressing well.

Mr. Glasford noted that CedarBridge Academy also had two cycles and several qualified instructors. But he said its students were "not part of the course''.

He said he appreciated the complexity of starting a new school, but had come into contact with many CedarBridge parents that were eager to have their children in the programme.

The Project Ride course consists of four hours of theory and a practical component of eight hours conducted at the school. Students then have to take a comprehensive test at TCD. The entire course can run for three to four weeks.