Shortly before the end of the Christmas Term SPOKES sent a questionnaire to all the Council run schools in Edinburgh. Ron Dingwall (469 3109) the newly appointed Road Safety Development Officer assisted.

An amazing 72% of the schools responded and the results were very encouraging.

A significant number of Head Teachers (23) at schools where cycling to school is not allowed (63) would like to be able to allow or encourage it.

Most thought that road conditions would have to be improved first and many recognised that some form of secure cycle parking would need to be provided. Both are issues that the City of Edinburgh Council wants to address. The Council's City Development Department has money to install cycle racks at schools (contact Matthew Simpson 469 3606). So far these have all been "Sheffield" type racks which are not as secure as some schools would require. 43 schools want some or more cycle parking. (Matthew Simpson wrote a report for February's Transportation Committee asking for an extra £36,400 for cycle racks as a direct result of the SPOKES questionnaire. Report noted.).

An overwhelming majority of HTs (90) want their pupils to receive Cycle Training - even where they have no intention of allowing cycling to school. It was very significant that not only did 7 special schools ask for Training but also 10 out of 13 secondary schools did too. Cycle Training is only offered to primary school pupils over 10 in Edinburgh. SPOKES will make the full findings of this survey available to the Council and Lothian and Borders Police and will press for a review of current Cycle Training arrangements. It is clear that more resources will have to be found if all the demand is to be met.

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