National Campaign To Get Scottish Children On Their Bikes

8th March 2007

Today (8 March 2007) Cycling Scotland launches a national campaign urging parents to swap the school run for the school cycle and encourage their children to cycle to school. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of cycle training offered in the majority of primary schools across Scotland and ultimately to increase the number of children cycling to school every day.

Ninety per cent of children have bikes and over 30% would like to cycle to school, but only a disappointing 1% actually do. It is believed that parents’ safety fears are the main cause of this. By raising awareness of cycle training and confronting these fears, the campaign aims to encourage parents to reconsider their attitudes.

In Scotland, cycling is the number one choice of activity for children aged 8 to 15 years outside of school PE (number one for girls and number two for boys, behind football). Unlike most sporting activities, people who cycle during their childhood are more likely to continue into adulthood.

European statistics relating to obesity and uptake of school cycling suggest a strong inverse correlation, with the countries enjoying the highest cycle use figures also benefiting from the lowest obesity. Current figures suggest 1 in 4 Scots are at risk of dying early as a result of diseases related to inactivity, yet only 2% of journeys are by bicycle.

Cycling also teaches important life skills. Parents who drive their children to school risk creating a habit of dependency that undermines children’s confidence and self-reliance. Cycling to school – after appropriate cycle training – helps children develop road sense, assess risk and think for themselves.

Said Jim Riach, Education & Training Manager at Cycling Scotland: ‘Getting kids out and about on their bikes more is crucial to safeguard the future health of our nation. More than this, we believe it is an essential part of childhood. I’m sure most adults have very fond memories of their first bike and the sense of freedom and adventure that came with it. It’s a great shame that children are being denied the opportunity to experience this independence because parents are worried about their safety on the roads. The cycle training that is available in primary schools helps children not only to cycle on the road more confidently but also to develop road sense that will serve them as pedestrians and as future road users as well.’

The Scottish Cycle Training Scheme, coordinated by a network of regional road safety officers, gives children the skills to cycle more confidently on the road. Cycle training may be provided in P6 or P7 and ideally lessons should be taught on the road, so that children are trained in an environment that they will actually be riding in. Children learn skills such as manoeuvring, observation, risk assessment, problem-solving, how to check their bike and safety equipment – everything they need to know to ride safely on the road. The course also provides assessment in theory and knowledge of the Highway Code.

Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, is supporting the campaign. Sustrans in Scotland work with the Scottish Executive to make sure children can get to school safely on bikes and keep the bikes safe at school, by providing information, training and advice and funding for cycle parking at schools and developing more safe routes to schools, such as cycle paths.

Said Philippa Davison, School Travel Project Manager at Sustrans in Scotland: ‘We’re delighted to be backing this campaign to get more Scottish children out of the car and on to their bikes. Cycling is not only a great way for children to increase confidence and get fit, it is also crucial for the future of our nation to develop more sustainable forms of transport. In many cases it is often quicker and easier for children to cycle school than rely on lifts from their parents. We’d like to see all parents in Scotland consider whether their children would be able to cycle to school’.

Cycling Scotland is offering one winner the chance to win a set of four brand new bikes for all the family, worth over £800.

For your chance to win and for more information about what cycle training is available in your area visit www.cyclingscotland.org