Scottish Cycling is delighted to announce that it has been selected to run a pilot project as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing access to bikes for school age children, who could otherwise not afford them.
One of six projects launched today, Tuesday 17th August, Transport Scotland will support the delivery of these projects, as part of a series of commitments delivered by the Scottish Government within its first 100 days.
Scottish Cycling’s pilot project, known as “Rock Up & Ride”, is a series of fun, free and easy to access sessions aimed at children aged 7-14 years. These sessions link directly to a cycling club, aimed at delivering a long-term, sustainable increase in cycling activity and subsequently behavioural change.
By giving the participant something fun to do with their bike, and a means of developing their skills and confidence, Scottish Cycling is confident they will see greater value in their bike and the independence it can give them. This will greatly increase the likelihood of that participant using the bike for everyday journeys such as cycling to school or nipping to the shops.
The Rock Up & Ride programme will be delivered at eight identified pilot sites across Scotland, which will enable learning from each of the different venues, and allow for an assessment to be made on the project’s impact across different disciplines of cycling, different club models, school/community sites and urban/rural locations.
The sites chosen for the pilot initiative are:
• Chatelherault Park, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
• Lochore Meadows and Fife Cycle Park, Lochgelly, Fife
• Zetland Park, Grangemouth, Falkirk
• Inverness Royal Academy
• Arran High School
• Cathkin Braes, Castlemilk, Glasgow
• Clatto Park, Dundee
• Glentress, Scottish Borders
These facilities range from pump tracks and mountain bike trails, to skills areas and a closed road circuit, three of which include dedicated disability hubs, ensuring a range of opportunities are provided for all abilities and interests
Nick Rennie, Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling, said:
“Thanks to Transport Scotland’s Free Bikes for Kids pilot we will be able to give more young people the opportunity to experience the wonderful benefits gained from riding a bike. Our Rock Up & Ride programme will help us accelerate our vision of Developing a Nation of Cyclists and link our work in the key areas of participation, club and facility development. I am very excited to see the impact we will make to local communities across the length and breadth of Scotland in our eight pilot sites.”
On securing the funds from Transport Scotland and the impact it will have, Sophie McCall, Head of Development and Participation at Scottish Cycling, said:
“We are delighted to be able to launch the Rock Up & Ride programme and demonstrate the pivotal role that sport plays in long term behavioural change. Working with clubs who are at the heart of our cycling community, we aim to spark an excitement and love of cycling in people who may have previously been unable to participate. We hope that this programme is the start of a lifelong cycling journey, exploring all that cycling has to offer. And who knows, maybe we’ll discover a future Olympic champion in the process!”
Robert McNiece, who leads the Arran High School MTB club, one of eight chosen sites for the project, added:
“Arran High School Mountain Bike Club is delighted to contribute to the delivery of Scottish Cycling's Rock Up & Ride pilot project, enabling fun, free and easy to access sessions, linked to providing free bikes for school age children who cannot afford them. Reducing inequalities by investing in access to bikes helps in promoting walking and cycling as the most popular mode of travel for shorter everyday journeys. Longer term, this will fit well with our new cycling facility being planned for Arran at Dyemill, helping shape our island community around people and place.”
Transport Minister Graeme Dey commented:
“I’m blown away by how community groups, active travel and cycling partners have responded to our 100 day commitment. With support and funding from the Scottish Government, I’m pleased they will shortly offer free bike pilots to school aged children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford them.
“We’ve still got a lot of ground to cover when thinking about how best we can assess need, build in accessibility for all and ensure supply and delivery models which are sustainable for urban, rural and island communities across Scotland.
“That said, when we look at pilot projects already mobilised, it’s clear that the strength of ambition on display is immediately apparent. We’ll be looking at the evaluation very closely to see what’s working most effectively and inclusively to support future schemes.
“The benefits of providing greater access to bikes for children are obvious. It ensures equality of opportunity in building life skills, confidence, independence and embeds healthy and sustainable travel habits from a young age. Ensuring that more children can choose active travel including cycling is vital to help meet our world leading net zero targets.”
Further details on the project, and a behind the scenes look as delivery commences, will all be available in due course.
