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16/02/2012

Katie Sutherland, Pearl and the Puppets

“Bikeability Scotland is giving kids the opportunity to learn how to cycle with the appropriate skills and confidence on today’s roads. Most importantly it’s keeping them safe for independent journeys to come. Support this great training for a healthier and more enjoyable option for children to commute.”

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14/02/2012

Alan McLean, one of Scotland’s foremost Educational Psychologists and supporter of Bikeability provides his views on the benefits of children cycling:

Cycling:

Helps kids to form intense relationships, close group identity and peer affirmation.

Creates Fun with friends, camaraderie, side by side bonding, we get to know people easily when out cycling.

Is inclusive – an activity for everyone, at all skill levels, both competitive and non competitive. It suits different temperaments with high excitement for the sensation seekers through to calm cycling for the cautious type.

Is fun for all the family.

Motivates pro social behaviour, social road skills, reciprocity with others and the need for rules and connects kids with the adult world of transport.

Helps cope with the ups and downs of life the highs and lows, the struggles, the freewheeling and the highs of achievement.

Aids skills acquisition, balance and control, a meta cognitive skill like learning to drive.

Lends itself to speedy progress, one minute you can’t and the next minute you can- that adrenalin moment when people get the bug.

Helps young people to be aware of their growing abilities, recognise their growing skill and feel responsible for and in control of their progress.

Encourages a mastery self-improvement attitude and a growth mindset where kids define success in relation to own progress and  learn from their mistakes.

Provides the platform for instant  and objective feedback, clear when goals have been achieved, triggers lots of genuine praise.

Creates a good opportunity for children to deal with making a fool of themselves in front of peers including dealing with falling off and getting back on again, building perseverance skills.

Aids physical fitness, purposeful and satisfying exertion which releases endorphins, high energy and  gets the heart rate up.

Allows children to be in control and less reliant on adults with opportunities for decision making.

Encourages a capacity for adventure and risk taking.

Creates the exhilaration of travelling under your own steam.

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14/02/2012

Graeme Obree encourages parents to become Bikeability Scotland Volunteers

“Bikeability Scotland is a great way to make sure children can cycle safely. The training is really comprehensive.  As a parent I think this is so important. Having the confidence to let your kids out on their bikes gives them so much more independence, which is something children seem to have less and less of these days. It is also a great way to encourage exercise which is so important to the physical development of children – but above all cycling is fun.”

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13/02/2012

Robin Galloway from Clyde 1 Calls for Bikeability Scotland Volunteers

“Bikeability Scotland is a great way to get kids out on their bikes safely. The three level cycle training programme provides children with the knowledge, experience and confidence to travel independently to school on their bikes. We need to get as many kids out on their bikes as possible and in order to do that I’d like to encourage people across Scotland to lend their time to support Bikeability Scotland. To volunteer, log on to Bikeability Scotland.”

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13/02/2012

Sir Chris Hoy Backs Bikeability Scotland Volunteer Drive

“The new Bikeability Scotland cycle training is a fantastic way to give kids the skills and confidence they need to use their bikes to get to school, and just to get around. I went everywhere on my bike as a kid, and developing road sense is really important. The new three level scheme includes on-road training which is vital for making sure kids are properly prepared for riding their bikes, and hopefully they can continue these skills into adulthood too.”

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Steve Lawrie, front row, Edinburgh Rugby

“I regularly cycle to Edinburgh Rugby training at Murrayfield Stadium and think it is really important to get more kids out on their bikes. Bikeability Scotland training gives children the right skills, knowledge and awareness they need to go out on the road alone, safely.

“I would like to encourage parents, teachers, students and the general public to sign up and help provide Bikeability Scotland training to more kids across Scotland.”

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10/02/2012

So why should you and your children become part of Bikeability Scotland?

Cycling and Development

• Over 90% of children have bikes and a third want to cycle to school but in reality only 3% do
• Parents who drive their children to school may be creating a habit of dependency and may find their children are less confident and self reliant
• Cycling can help children learn valuable life skills, including confidence, self reliance, critical judgement and risk assessment of situations
• Children who have never been given the chance to learn these skills may find it more difficult to make informed decisions and calculate risks when out on their own in the future

To become a Bikeability Scotland Volunteer please register your interest below.

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10/02/2012

Looking to get out on your bike?

Cycling Scotland, along with Sustrans,  have compiled a few family friendly fun rides throughout Scotland. With the weather getting better, hopefully, these low intensity, picturesque rides are sure to encourage any cyclist to get back on their bikes.

Aberdeen route

This cracking little Railway Pass mainly follows the disused railway line and is especially good for families.

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Dundee Route

A 7mile route that may require photo ID to pass security at the docks but well worth it. Some fantastic views as you cross the Tay Road Bridge.

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Here are a couple of cycle routes for you and your family in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Go on ‘Ride your bike more’

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10/02/2012

James McCallum On Bikeability Scotland

Commonwealth Games medalist James McCallum throws his support behind the launch of Bikeability Scotland

“I remember completing cycle proficiency training as a youngster. It was valuable training which ultimately prepared me for going out on the roads with other traffic.

“I’d encourage people from across Scotland to get involved and volunteer to help ensure as many children as possible get access to Bikeability Scotland – let’s give kids the chance to learn the rules of the road in a safe environment, become more confident on their bikes and most of all have fun!”