Cycle Friendly Schools
Welcome to the new Cycle Friendly School Award scheme!
This national award has been developed by Cycling Scotland to encourage all Primary schools in Scotland to become more cycle friendly and ultimately to increase the number of children cycling to school which will benefit both their health and the environment amongst a host of other benefits.
Aim of Cycle Friendly School Award
The aim of the new scheme is to encourage cycling as part of the whole school culture and contribute to increasing the number of children cycling to and at school.
The Award is part of a whole school approach to cycling which can contribute to health promoting school and Eco-School initiatives. Additionally, the scheme links directly with cycle training that is offered at school in particular the Scottish Cycle Training Scheme and Cycling Scotland’s Ready Steady Bike and GoByCycle programmes. Order resources for the RSB and GBC by downloading the Ready Steady Bike and Go By Cycle Resource Order Form
Award Components
The scheme consists of a resource pack as well a support network in relation to implementation and assessment of the scheme. The pack aims to help primary schools assess how cycle friendly they are and provide practical advice and information on how to make improvements that will ultimately provide the opportunity for more children to make an active school journey.
• Self Assessment Form– schools use to gauge how Cycle Friendly the school is and highlight areas for improvement. Criteria will be grouped under 3 areas, namely Infrastructure, Incentives and Promotion. Criteria requirements are divided between essential and desirable items.
• Guidance Notes – to accompany the self assessment form which will provide clarification of criteria as well as sources of information.
• Cycling champion handbook – a handbook to guide progression through the award. Is also intended to address anticipated issues from teacher’s and parents, covering areas such as safety, responsibility for children on the school run etc.
• Lesson Plans – a functional support resource which links to key curriculum areas.
• Reflective Hi-visibility stickers – On gaining Cycle Friendly status the school will receive a supply of ‘I go to a Cycle Friendly School’ stickers. These can placed on bags, clothing and bikes and are intended to be both a practical reward for children and tool to communicate the achievement to parents.
Links with Partners
The Cycle Friendly Schools Award scheme highlights cycling initiatives from a range of partner organisations. The aim is to maximise the benefits and achieve a holistic approach to cycle promotion which results in a school environment conducive to daily active commuting.
The resource is also intended to encourage children and parents to feel more confident about cycling to school by addressing frequently asked questions.
The implementation of cycle friendly measures can be part of School Travel Plan development and contribute to the achievement of Health Promoting School and Eco Schools accreditation. The award links in with the following organisations initiatives as detailed. If your school currently has any of these initiatives in place then they will already have achieved some of the award criteria.
