Bikeability Scotland Awards 2021

Since Bikeability Scotland began in 2010, more than 350,000 pupils have received cycle training in Scotland. In the 2020/21 school year, more than 40,000 pupils received training, which is very encouraging, given the disruption to schools and their teaching caused by the pandemic. 

Instructor of the Year – Anneline Ingram (Western Isles)

Anneline Ingram, a teacher at Bernera Primary School on Lewis was presented with the ‘Instructor of the Year’ award in recognition of her efforts to place cycling and outdoor activities at the heart of the school year, against the challenges of the pandemic and the impending school closure at the end of the academic year.

During the last school year, she went above and beyond to deliver training, including lending her children’s bikes to pupils without access to one.

By incorporating cycling into PE and other extra-curricular activities around the school, Anneline delivered Bikeability Scotland training level 1 and 2. Every primary school in the Western Isles delivers Bikeability Scotland training, thanks to the passion and dedication of instructors like Anneline.

Anneline Ingram said: “As a teacher and a keen runner and cyclist, I try and imbue my pupils with a desire to be outside and active as I believe it is a great way to develop skills transferable for life and work. I am a firm believer in removing obstacles to enable all pupils to participate in physical activity. I’m so pleased that every pupil was able to receive Bikeability Scotland cycle training last year, I was so encouraged by their enthusiasm to learn during a challenging period.”

Alex Clark from Orkney Islands Council and Paul Weatherburn from East Calder Primary School in West Lothian were Highly Commended in the ‘Instructor of the Year’ category.

Alex Clark said: "As with most awards this is first and foremost a team award for all of us who make Bikeability Scotland possible in Orkney. On a more personal note, Bikeability Scotland is not just about teaching cycling skills and safety to children but making cycling fun and enjoyable so that they will continue to enjoy riding their bikes throughout their life. I hope that even when standing out in the rain and wind that the children I have coached have enjoyed it and found it fun."

Paul Weatherburn said: "I am delighted to have been nominated for an award and even more surprised to receive a highly commended runner up. I see the benefits of Bikeability Scotland in my community and it's great to see the delight on the kids' faces when they get out on to the roads during the course and receive their certificates at the end. It's great for their mental health and wellbeing."

Annual Achievement Award – North Lanarkshire Active Schools

The Annual Achievement Award is presented to North Lanarkshire Active Schools in recognition of their work to double the delivery rate of Bikeability Scotland training to school children in the area. This has created a model that can support more schools in future.

Ross Sweeney, Senior Sports Development Officer at North Lanarkshire Council said: “Over the course of 2020-21 in a really difficult year for all, the North Lanarkshire Active Schools Team used this opportunity to deliver as much Bikeability Scotland training as possible. 

“Working alongside schools we were able to deliver more Bikeability Scotland level 1 and 2 than ever before both at the schools and at the Strathclyde Park Outdoor Education Programme.  Cycling during this time was and still is an ideal activity to continue to keep pupils active while teaching vital cycling skills to keep them safe on the roads. We are very grateful for receiving this award and we’re really pleased that the team’s hard work has been recognised.”

Craig Dalziel, Bikeability Scotland Co-ordinator for Renfrewshire Leisure was Highly Commended in this award category in recognition of his long-term and ongoing dedication to the programme which resulted in record delivery figures for Level 2 on-road cycle training in Renfrewshire. 

Craig Dalziel said: “I am surprised but delighted to have been recognised by Cycling Scotland for this award in what has been an extremely challenging year. I would like to thank the Renfrewshire Leisure team and Bikeability Scotland staff for their continued support and also thank the schools for embracing Bikeabilty Scotland in the way they have. I very much enjoy delivering Bikeability Scotland and I am looking forward to another busy year.”

School of the Year – Canal View Primary School (City of Edinburgh)

As one of hundreds of schools delivering Bikeability Scotland training to primary school pupils, Canal View Primary School in Edinburgh has been named as the ‘School of the Year’.

The school went above and beyond to ensure that all 180 pupils in P5, 6 & 7 could cycle by the end of training. Before training began, around 30 pupils couldn’t cycle or had never been on a bike.

The positivity of completing training has resulted in improved behaviour and pride among pupils.

Lily, one of the P7 pupils who learned to ride through Bikeability Scotland training said: “I don’t know why I haven’t learned to ride a bike before this. I suppose we just didn’t find the time. I have a big family, but I am just so proud of myself for now being able to ride a bike, I’m shaking with excitement.”

Sue Russell, Health & Well-being Co-ordinator at Canal View Primary School said: “Bikeability Scotland has been a great success this year within Canal View and the day we do training is now my favourite day of the week, this is seconded by most of the children when I collect them for their sessions.

Many of our children now cycle to school and their confidence has skyrocketed. Children who were quite inactive out of school are now going cycling with their friends and family. Lots of the children had never been on a bike and we have been able to give them the time to develop confidence, coordination, and focus. Cycling is a lifelong skill that will help the children in other aspects of their lives. It has been a joy to see their progress and successes and we are enjoying taking it forward, learning and developing as we go. It’s so lovely that the dedication of the school has been recognised with the nomination for this award, never mind winning it! A brilliant team effort, thank you so much!”

Preston Tower Primary School (East Lothian) and Strathdevon Primary School (Clackmannanshire) were Highly Commended in the ‘School of the Year’ category. 

Tim Wallace, Head Teacher at Preston Tower Primary said: "The school recognises the huge benefits of supporting as many children as possible through the Bikeability Scotland Programme. We are delighted that our work has been recognised and see this as a recognition of the huge efforts and commitment made by both our teaching and support staff during a very disrupted year."

Emma Tomlinson, Acting Head Teacher at Strathdevon Primary said: "We are so chuffed to receive this highly commended Bikeability Scotland award. It's brilliant news for us and we certainly wouldn't be getting it if it wasn't for the support from Active Schools and all their hard work and support to work with our children round all the restrictions."

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David Collins, Bikeability Scotland Manager said: “We are so pleased to recognise the winners of the Bikeability Scotland Awards. 

In a really challenging year, to see over 40,000 pupils get Bikeability Scotland cycle training is a testament to all the dedicated and passionate instructors trained to deliver cycle training across Scotland.

Since Bikeability Scotland began in 2010, over 350,000 pupils have received cycle training, giving the next generation the skills and confidence to travel by bike, feel healthier and help tackle the climate emergency.”