Mark Beaumont launches project to teach any child how to ride a bike
Round the World adventurer Mark Beaumont launches Cycling Scotland’s Early Years Cycle Skills project, with youngsters at Doune Nursery
Adventurer and dad, Mark Beaumont, was in Doune recently to launch Cycling Scotland’s Early Years Cycle Skills project, designed to give any three and four year old the chance to ride a bike before they start school.
Mark is about to embark on a cycling adventure of his own as he teaches his two and half year old daughter to adjust to life on two wheels.
This exciting and ambitious national programme of early years cycle training aims to offer any three and four year old the chance to learn to ride a bike at nursery. The programme will be delivered through local authorities and enables early years staff to teach pre-school children to learn to ride a bike independently, safely and with confidence.
Early Years Cycling uses training developed through the Play on Pedals project, funded by the People’s Postcode Trusts Dreamfund. This project aims to give every three and four year old in Glasgow the chance to learn to ride a bike and is delivered in partnership by CTC Scotland, Glasgow Bike Station, Play Scotland and Cycling Scotland.
Mark Beaumont said, “Cycling is such an important life skill and therefore so much more than a sport. As a mode of transport, a way to keep in shape, to socialise and to see the world, life on two wheels is best started as early as possible.
“Now that I am a father myself I realise how lucky I was to be cycling almost as soon as I could walk. I certainly plan to encourage my children to do the same and love the work of Early Years Cycling to get Scotland cycling.”
Derek Mackay, Minister for Transport and Islands said, “The most recent Transport Statistics show almost 75% of journeys to school are made by active or public transport means. We see this as an encouraging sign and an opportunity to encourage the next generation to leave the car behind while promoting healthy living now. Our children are the future and we must enable them to make the most of the available opportunities - supporting cycling training through this £100,000 funding is one way to achieve this while providing them with a fun way to learn life skills.”
Paul Wright, Cycling Scotland Development Officer said: “This ambitious programme aims to give anyone the chance to learn to ride a bike confidently before they start school. We are already working with 15 local authorities and want to work with more partner organisations to give kids the chance to get active and have fun on two wheels. We are grateful for the support of People’s Postcode Lottery Players and Transport Scotland which has enabled this project to reach more children in Glasgow and now across Scotland.”
Through funding from Transport Scotland, Cycling Scotland is rolling out the Play on Pedals Instructor training to Scotland’s local authorities to give more children the opportunity to learn to ride a bike at nursery.
Find out more, visit www.cycling.scot.
Communications Officer
vicky@cycling.scot
07701 289257
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