Every Primary Six pupil across the Scottish Borders received Bikeability Scotland cycle safety training in the past academic year, and the feat is on track to be repeated this year.
We are just one of nine Scottish local authorities to have achieved a 100 per cent delivery rate.
The programme is delivered locally by our Outdoor Education team, with ongoing support from Cycling Scotland, Smarter Choices, Smarter Places funding and the Community Cycling Fund.
Training in the playground and out on the road
The playground-based Bikeability 1 cycle skills training and Bikeability 2 road safety cycle training is delivered to all P6 classes across the region, normally over the course of three days in each primary school.
Over the last 12 months the team has worked with over 1,100 pupils to increase their cycling confidence, develop hazard perception and awareness, and promote active travel.
Councillor Carol Hamilton, Executive Member for Developing our Children and Young People
“The Bikeability programme has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and it is great to see so many schools engaging with the team to deliver the programme. It is now viewed as a core part of pupils’ learning in many of our schools.
“This programme, alongside funding received through Cycling Scotland’s Access to Bikes for Young People Fund, will continue to positively influence the way that young people engage with cycling as part of their day-to-day lives, as a means of active travel and contributing to good mental and physical wellbeing.
“Supporting and encouraging young people to get on bikes and use them for fun, for competition and for travel is critical to us being able to deliver on the long term vision of the South of Scotland Cycling Strategy, where cycling is embedded in the lives of people in the region and is the most popular choice for shorter, everyday journeys by 2032.”
David Collins, Bikeability Scotland Manager at Cycling Scotland
“The Scottish Borders’ achievement of delivering Bikeability Scotland on-road cycle training in every primary school in the area; one of nine local authorities in the country to achieve 100% delivery and the largest in terms of school numbers, deserves to be celebrated.
“The Scottish Borders is providing its children with the best possible start, offering a gateway to healthier, more active lifestyles, and setting pupils up with important skills and confidence that they will take forward into later life.”
In addition to being enthusiastically supported by young people, crucially the programme is also backed by headteachers.
Alan Vannan, Headteacher of Lauder Primary School
“This is an excellent programme for the P6 children in the school and there is a real sense of equity in the delivery model adopted by the Council, with the SBC instructors providing all the bikes and helmets for the children. That brings a sense of fairness to the training – everyone is the same and no one is left out.
“These instructors are also specialists in delivering the cycling skills training and ensure the children have an enjoyable experience whilst learning about how to keep themselves safe. It is a great moment when after just a few hours the instructors can get a nervous cyclist riding with confidence.”
South of Scotland Cycling Strategy
Launched just over a year ago by partners including Scottish Borders Council, the South of Scotland Cycling Strategy aims to build on the existing efforts that have made cycling so popular in the region, but importantly asks partners, stakeholders, communities and industry to push on and deliver transformational change through the power of the bike.
In addition to cycling being the most popular choice for shorter everyday journeys, the strategy’s vision is also for the South of Scotland to be recognised as Scotland’s leading cycling destination and a world class cycling centre of excellence. It also aims to capitalise on the opportunities provided by the region hosting 11 days of competition as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
In August the South of Scotland joined a prestigious list of world-leading cycling destinations after being awarded a UCI Bike Region label. The first region in Scotland to claim the international title from cycling’s governing body, it recognises a city or region’s commitment to cycling for all.
About the Access to Bike for Young People Fund
Funded by Transport Scotland, Cycling Scotland’s Access to Bike for Young People Fund is working with partner organisations to increase affordable access to bikes for children and young people, supporting independent travel, reducing inequalities and improving health.
Funding can be provided to obtain new and reused bikes available from local bike shops, bike recycling organisations and charities as well as upcycling and reallocation of existing school bike fleets.