Annual report & accounts 2024-25
Education and training
Adult Cycle Training
From absolute beginners to more advanced training, Cycling Scotland offers a range of sessions to support people with the skills and confidence to travel by bike.
More than 3,000 adults undertook practical training in 2024-25, with a further 900 accessing e-learning.
Demand for cycle training is high, and Cycling Scotland supports a network of 75 delivery partners to provide national standard cycle training for adults and families.
Cycling Scotland also distributed £44,000 to providers across the country to deliver 640 free to access training sessions for adults and families.
In 2024-25:
Case Study
Learning to ride at seventy
Since 2020, A Wee Pedal has taught over 1,200 people how to ride a bike. The charity, based in Edinburgh, provides bikes, helmets and instructors to get people on their bikes and, through support from Cycling Scotland, total beginners have been able to learn for free how to ride a bike. As instructor, Leanne, a former PE teacher says, “watching someone go from “I can't” to "look at me go!" is honestly the best part of the job."
Up until May 2025, Joan Robertson had never been on a bike. Her family all cycle but she had never felt the urge until a recent family holiday, when she watched them on their bikes, and, for the first time, thought to herself: “I want to do that”. Aged seventy, she took the leap, signing up for an adult cycle training with instructor Leanne at A Wee Pedal.
Leanne arranged the class on a quiet path in her local park and explained how to sit on the bike “like Mary Poppins: upright, elegant, and in control”. It clicked instantly.
After just five minutes, the team could see Joan had the determination and spark that would take her all the way, and every time they offered a break she’d wave it off, saying “nope, I’m good, let’s keep going!”
After an hour, Joan was nearly riding solo. Leanne’s hands were just gently tapping Joan’s sides as she ran beside her, then suddenly, Joan realised she was riding all on her own. Her face lit up.
“Yes, Joan!” Leanne cheered, “you are riding!”
I had the most amazing time and truly loved every minute of it. I thought I’d have a go and thanks to your expert guidance, encouragement and cheerleading I can now ride a bike! To anyone reading this thinking they might be too unfit, too old, too nervous: you're not!
It just proves you never know what you can do until you try, and find the right support team. I’m still buzzing: thank you A Wee Pedal, and Cycling Scotland for funding my class – what an amazing gift!
