Bikeability Scotland Awards 2024

More than 1,200 schools in Scotland took part in Bikeability Scotland in 2023-24, with 60% of primary schools delivering Level 2 training, providing their pupils the opportunity to gain greater independence, resilience and judgement.

The Keith Fergus Annual Achievement Award – Bill Butterworth (Perth and Kinross)

It was the unanimous decision of our judging panel that Bill should receive this award, citing not only his energy and enthusiasm for, and dedication to, schools on-road cycle training, but just as significantly, the unassuming and progressive manner in which he has developed participation in Perth and Kinross over a number of years.

The 2023-24 academic session saw Perth and Kinross become the largest authority to date to have successfully engaged all of their primary schools in Bikeability Scotland training. These record delivery figures combined with Bill’s strong rapport with his instructor network, who have worked so effectively together, and his wider support for cycling in the local area mean that Bill is the 2024 recipient of the Keith Fergus Annual Achievement Award.

Bill Butterworth commented: “I like being out and about in the sunshine and sometimes in the rain. The instructors I work with are really good fun. It's not really like a job. It's more of something that's really nice to do. It’s nice to be recognised for all the work that you do. I just get stuck in and make sure that everything happens.”

 

Highly Commended – Amy Cornish (Recyke-a-bike)

In awarding Amy this prize, judges commented on her commitment to the programme, and wider cycling activity, throughout the year; her proactive, resourceful and flexible approach in planning, scheduling and delivering training across more than one authority.

Her positive, can-do attitude and ability to engage and support new schools and instructors has been pivotal in helping both Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils achieve 100% Level 2 on-road delivery. The latter for the first time, a hugely significant milestone.

Amy Cornish said: “I feel so grateful for this award, and equally grateful for a job that does so much good for young people. Bikeability provides hundreds of young people with more confidence, knowledge, and fun, and is especially valuable in areas that wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to learn about cycling safely. My work is important but delivering this project wouldn’t be possible without the incredible team of cycle trainers we have at Recyke-a-bike who make Bikeability a reality.”

 

Instructor of the Year – Angie Murchison (Aberdeen City)

Described simply by her nominator, Sharon Mathers, as ‘amazing’, Angie Murchison, or Miss Murchison to her pupils, is a Pupil Support Assistant and the lead Bikeability Scotland instructor at Hazlehead School in Aberdeen. Judges noted Angie’s passionate advocacy of cycling as a life skill and the great pride she takes in ensuring that no-one leaves the school unable to confidently ride their bike. 

In providing personal bike checks for all pupils and additional one-to-one sessions for all non- or unconfident riders, judges further highlighted Angie’s commitment to making training fully inclusive, utilising her knowledge and experience to enable every child to participate in the programme. Last year alone she supported 10 non-riders at the school to develop the skills and confidence to become competent on-road cyclists.

Angie Murchison said: “It's really nice for me personally, but also for the school to get this award because it is really an award for the school and the priority that they have given to getting every kid to be able to ride a bike by the time they leave primary seven. Also, on the importance they’ve placed on everybody having had some cycle training and making everybody safe.”

 

Highly Commended – Fiona Whyte (Highland)

In nominating Fiona, local authority coordinator for Highland, Emma Garden, spoke of her dedication and commitment as a volunteer, acting as the driving force behind Bikeability at Avoch Primary School, including the planning and delivery of Level 1 and 2 training for the P6 cohort over a number of years. 

Judges were particularly impressed by Fiona’s selfless support of other instructors, both at her own and other schools, helping to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence and build a level of sustainability into the programme in the local area. 

Fiona Whyte said: “I didn't even know I'd been nominated. It came as a total surprise to hear that I had got the highly commended runner up. I guess it's down to my dedication to Bikeability at Avoch Primary. I have championed Bikeability within the school. And it's been a journey for me as well as the others and it's been fantastic to be able to see the development in Bikeability at the school.”

 

School of the Year – Leadhills Primary School (South Lanarkshire)

In nominating Leadhills, a small primary at the heart of its community, local authority coordinator for South Lanarkshire, Lynsey MacPhail, highlighted the school’s ongoing commitment and dedication to a fully inclusive cycle training offer for all pupils. 

With very few children having access to their own bike, the school secured external funding, with a focus on physical and mental wellbeing and sustainability.  With this they were able to purchase both adult and children’s bikes in support of delivering Level 1 and 2 training, and further supplemented their fleet with a community drive for bike donations. Additional local support was also sought to conduct maintenance checks and secure access to a trike for the duration of the course.

In awarding the prize, judges recognised the involvement of the whole school community, the investment of staff time in undertaking and then delivering training, and the commitment to sustainability through the development of a community bike bank, that will ensure the same opportunity is available to future pupils. 

Headteacher Anne French said: “It's a great achievement to win. That's not what we do it for. It's for the children, to provide them with the same opportunities as everybody else and make sure that they have a whole experience.”

Acting Principal Teacher Patricia Slater said: “To actually find out that we won was an amazing sense of achievement. It was a nice end to the summer holidays when I opened the email and saw that we had actually been successful and won the Scottish award.”

Max a pupil at Leadhills said: “I just really like it because it gets you out of the building into the outside world. That makes me feel energetic because I'm outside and not just sitting on the sofa watching telly all day. And that's what I really like about cycling and Bikeability.”

 

Highly Commended – Tighnabruaich Primary School (Argyll and Bute)

Tighnabruaich Primary is a rural school, 25 miles from Dunoon on the Cowal peninsula.  In awarding the commendation, our judging panel highlighted the active ethos of the school and the commitment from the whole school community in embedding a wider cycling culture. 

From the proactive and resourceful Parent Council, in applying for funding for bikes, storage facilities and equipment, which has led to over 40% of pupils cycling regularly to school, to the staff investing time to train as instructors and the support of Active Schools in providing ‘added value’ cycling activities, including mountain bike sessions, this award is reflective of a real team effort.

As one of the first schools in Argyll and Bute to deliver Bikeability Scotland cycle training, Tighnabruaich has set an inspiring example to other schools in the local authority, helping to demonstrate the value of participation, and the huge benefits to both the pupils and the wider community. 

Headteacher Megan Stirling said: “We are very pleased to have been nominated for this award and very proud of the work that has been done to promote cycling with our young people. Almost half of our pupils cycle at least part of the way to school and this has a positive impact on both their health and wellbeing and on our local environment.”