This is a briefing paper that has been endorsed by all of the main cycling bodies in Scotland including Spokes, Lothian Safe Routes, the Scottish Cyclists' Union, CTC Scotland, Sustrans, Go Bike! (Glasgow Cycle Campaign), ByCycle (Perth & Kinross Cycle Campaign) and the Highland Cycle Campaign.

Spokes and the Scottish Cyclists' Union will be writing to Scottish Ministers and asking them to help implement the recommendations.
 
You too can help! If you are involved with a school board or other relevant organisation, please ask them to discuss the paper, and either to write to the Education Minister or ask the local MSP to raise the subject with the Minister. Please also write yourself to your MSP. Phone 0845.278.1999 for their name/address.
 

Children love bikes. They love the fun and the freedom they can give, they love taking part in cycle sport and they love the independence that their own personal transport provides.

Yet Scottish children are fatter, less fit and more dependent on car transport than ever.

Health

• Scotland has a huge long-term problem of lack of exercise and obesity as is recognised in the Public Health White Paper (see below). 1 in 5 four year-olds are now overweight. Cycling can play a key role in overcoming these problems, particularly when done in conjunction with Safe Routes to School and cycle education programmes.

• Cycling is the No. 1 physical activity outside of school PE lessons for girls and the No. 2 activity for boys - yet there are few formal opportunities for children to develop skills and to be encouraged to keep on cycling. The SCU and the Scottish Cycling Development Project have developed a range of cycling qualifications that now make formal cycling activities through schools and leisure centre a real opportunity.
• There is also an increasing interest in school cycling clubs, yet few exist in Scottish schools. Cycling is seldom delivered as a school activity, usually only as road safety. Cycling is a diverse activity embracing transport, sport, health, mobility, independence and social inclusion, yet few resources are directed at cycling within the school range.

• Cycling can provide independence and mobility to children who increasingly rely on parents to drive them everywhere. Safe Routes to School projects are encouraging more children to cycle to school, yet recent research conducted for the Scottish Executive shows that on-road cycle training is completed by only 1 in 10 of Scottish pupils.

• Surveys show that head-teachers would like to offer cycle training in their schools. They cite it as one of the most important measures (alongside cycle parking) to enable more pupils to cycle, yet they do not have the resources (i.e. staff or volunteers) to deliver it. Indeed 89% of those schools which do not currently offer cycle training would like to do so. How many other areas of the curriculum are entirely dependent on volunteers for delivery?
• Current delivery focuses on safe cycling only, not cycling as the diverse activity that it is. There are few pathways into the range of opportunities that exist. Education, and qualified coaches and leaders can create these links.

• Children living in deprived areas are 4 times more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident than children living in better off areas. Yet schools in deprived areas lack the resources in terms of parental volunteers to deliver training. Hence it is children that are most at risk that generally have no access to on-road cycle training.
• Good Activity Leaders are likely to have a recognised qualification or run an activity endorsed by a respected organisation in the community. They will plan activities for different needs and abilities, encourage fun participation, ensure a safe environment, promote fair play, and promote equal opportunities for all sectors of the community.

1. The Scottish Public Health White Paper set an exceptionally demanding target, to raise the proportion of adults taking 30+ minutes to moderate activity at least 5 times weekly from 1995 figures of 32% of men and 22% of women to 50% and 40% by 2005 and 60% and 50% by 2010. It also recognised everyday walking and cycling as the key to increased every day moderate physical activity.
2. National Cycling Strategy policy statements (applicable to Local Authorities);-

Policy 22: The Authority will provide on-road cycle training for at least 80% of 10-12 year olds as part of its "school transport policy".

3. Sport 21, National Strategy for Sport in Scotland has a principle aim of "a country where sport is more widely available to all"

1. On-road cycle training to be made available to all Scottish 10-12 year olds, irrespective of school or background. This requires funding, but given the long-term potential impact on health, social inclusion, road safety and transport, the amount required would represent good value for money.
2. Cycling to be accorded a similar status as swimming in schools, especially when safety and health issues are concerned.
3. Cycle Activities delivered by qualified personnel to be more readily available in school time, through after school clubs and at leisure centres.

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