Schools in the Lothians have helped to contribute to a new national record in on-road cycle training in the last academic year, with East Lothian coming out on top in the area.
Figures collated by Cycling Scotland reveal that in the 2022-23 academic year, East Lothian successfully delivered on-road cycle training in every primary school in the area; one of only nine local authorities in the country to achieve 100% delivery.
Overall, almost two-thirds of Scottish schools participated in on-road cycle training in the last academic year, setting a new national record.
In total, figures collated by Cycling Scotland reveal that in the 2022-23 session, more than 60,000 children took part in Bikeability Scotland training. This is in stark contrast to the nearly three in four adults in Scotland who have never received any formal cycle training.
Bikeability Scotland, the national cycle training programme for school children, helps to increase road safety awareness in young people, equipping them with the skills and confidence to make everyday trips by bike more safely. The programme is free for pupils and is funded by Cycling Scotland, the national cycling charity, through grant funding from Transport Scotland.
When Bikeability Scotland was introduced in 2010 only 31.5% of primary schools delivered on-road cycle training. Since then, the programme has grown significantly, with the last academic year seeing a 20% increase in participation from the previous year.
Apart from Glasgow, every participating local authority in Scotland has increased or maintained their delivery of school cycle training in the last year. Nine local authorities delivered Bikeability in every school.
David Collins, Bikeability Scotland Manager, said: “Learning to cycle is an essential life skill so it’s phenomenal to see record numbers of young people gaining the skills and confidence to travel by bike. It proves that investment delivers results, and we really hope to see these numbers continue to grow into the future.
“The training that schoolchildren receive through Bikeability Scotland unlocks a whole range of benefits that will serve them throughout their lives, creating greater transport independence and supporting healthier, more environmentally friendly lifestyles. The positive impact of Bikeability Scotland on bike ownership and amount of cycling is greatest in schools with a higher proportion of pupils eligible for Free School Meals.
“Our research highlights the importance of teaching at school, to maximise the number of people reached who can use the training now and later in life. Countries with the highest levels of cycling, such as the Netherlands, still provide national cycle training schemes for school children.
“Together with building a network of safe, dedicated cycle lanes and preventing dangerous driving, Bikeability Scotland training is essential to support children to cycle.”
Burnbrae Primary School in Midlothian were Highly Commended in the Bikeability Scotland ‘School of the Year’ category earlier this year.
Harry, a P7 pupil from Williamston Primary School, West Lothian, commented on the training: “I thought we would just be doing different games or different activities on the bikes.
“It was more like what you would actually do on the road or in real life. Teaching you those skills that you actually need. And I think that’s what we really did when we did Bikeability.”
Jon Purdie, class teacher at Burnbrae Primary School said: “Bikeability has been a fantastic way for our pupils to learn and grow outside of the classroom environment and is a superb opportunity for those who struggle with academic learning to achieve and see themselves in a positive light.”
More information, including which schools are currently offering the training, along with more guidance and support for schools, parents, instructors and local authorities, can be found on the Bikeability Scotland website.