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"School cycle scheme rates soar 30 per cent in year" (Edinburgh)

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    "

    “This is a real investment in the future of cycling in Edinburgh and we look forward to the council getting an even higher percentage involved in future years, alongside all the work they are doing in improving facilities for cycling.”

    Education chiefs said the primary school cycling project was part of a wider drive aimed at enabling residents of all ages to benefit from active travel.

    Councillor Adam McVey, deputy transport leader, said: “Bikeability is all about boosting children’s confidence on two wheels so that they can get out there and make the most of Edinburgh’s growing cycling provision, including the family-friendly cycle network.”

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/school-cycle-scheme-rates-soar-30-per-cent-in-year-1-3523142

    Posted 9 years ago #

  2. Greenroofer
    Member

    On my way home along the canal on Tuesday I came across a large crowd of primary-school-age children on bikes. They looked to be in school uniform (Craiglockhart Primary, I'd guess).

    There was a humorous moment when the adult leader instructed them loudly to move to the side of the path to let me through. He didn't say which side they should move to, so they moved to both sides in a random way that meant there still wasn't room for me to get through. It took a little while to get the message through to them...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  3. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    There is a danger, as awareness of the scheme expands, that it becomes a box ticking exercise to get kids through the scheme. Schools and ACTIVE SCHOOLS will have targets on this. Edinburgh's is simply, get P6's to complete level 2.

    If you are a parent and your child is offered Bikeability at school, please take an interest in how it is delivered.

    1.5 - 2 hour sessions are ideal. less than 1.5 hours isn't much good, longer than two hours can be a problem for younger kids. Its better if there is flexibility built in to their course i.e. not restricted to just 3 sessions. it should last as long as it needs to.

    This allows all kids to complete the course with a degree of skill and knowledge, not just complete it with big gaps in their skills and them still being nervous about going out on their bike!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  4. crowriver
    Member

    Thanks for those tips. I will raise the issue of cycle training at the next Parent Council meeting.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  5. fimm
    Member

    I'm afraid that I'm rather cynically thinking that just because children have done Bikeability that doesn't actually mean they are cycling to school or anywhere else...

    The teacher interviewed in the article did seem to be implying that at their school at least it was making a difference, so I might have to turn my cynicism level down a touch...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  6. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    @fimm I probably share a lot of your cynicism

    There are many factors at play here.

    I have been to schools where they want it over an done with. They meet their requirement to offer/deliver it, but that's it.

    Others take a great interest and provide great support and backup. They see it as an essential skill and encourage all kids to take part, and to continue cycling to school afterwards.

    Personally, I am not interested in delivering at to satisfy a KPI. I want kids to not only learn these skills and be competent and confident in using them - but to enjoy it. Thankfully, some head teachers see it that way too.

    If your kid comes back from school with a certificate in basketball, but in reality is crap at it - probably no real harm done.

    But if they come back with a bikeability one, and whilst having done the course, they are not very good at some of the competences - that doesn't bear thinking about. I'm not sure parents realise their kids Bikeability award isn't a pass/fail thing.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  7. lorlane
    Member

    @ Greenroofer, that group of school cyclists you mentioned were indeed Craiglockhart, but they weren't doing bikability.

    It's a weekly club offered in their extra curricular programme. All children bring their own bikes too, so they're not only regularly cycling to school but out and about for an hour or so developing skills, confidence and having fun.

    Your story made me laugh! Learning curve for the students and the teacher.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    "out and about for an hour or so developing skills, confidence and having fun

    Precisely!

    I've managed it with a few schools during the school day - (some) teachers well aware of the 'educational value'.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  9. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    That's great Craiglockhart are doing that.

    For 18 months I've been trying to convince East Edinburgh schools to do these kind of excursions.

    If you have any kind of feedback from those trips that might help me in my arguments, I'd be grateful.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  10. chdot
    Admin

    Not Craiglockhart

    http://activetravel2stenhouse.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/tuesday-13th-may-trip-to-spylaw

    More - http://activetravel2stenhouse.wordpress.com

    Also

    http://sciennesactivetravel.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/sciennes-p5a-cycle-adventure.html

    Posted 9 years ago #

  11. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    Thanks for that :-)

    Posted 9 years ago #

  12. lorlane
    Member

    It's not bikeability at Craiglockhart, but an extra-curricular club offered as part of their Healthy Schools programme. Best bet is to contact the Health schools co-ordinator for those schools and arrange for your club to be included.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  13. chdot
    Admin

    Of course schools don't need to wait until children are old/skilled enough to do Bikeability.

    http://cyclingschools.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/balance-for-castleview

    Posted 9 years ago #

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