Nursery/School
Bikeability Scotland recognises cycling stars
7 November 2018
Four dedicated people have had their gold star efforts to encourage more school pupils into cycling recognised.
Cycling Scotland co-ordinates Bikeability Scotland, the national cycling programme for children. With a network of trainers to teach bike skills and on-road cycle training, more than 36,000 pupils participated in the programme last year. To acknowledge the enthusiasm and dedication of everyone involved, Cycling Scotland recognises a Volunteer of the Year and a Pupil’s Choice winner each year.
The 2018 winners are:
- Volunteer of the Year
- Awarded to Gabriella Farquhar – Bridge of Allan Primary School, Stirling
- Highly Commended Mark Wilson – Bridgend Primary School, Alness, Highlands
- Pupils’ Choice Award
- Awarded to Jacqueline Morrison – Culross Primary School, Dunfermline
- Highly Commended Craig Alcroft – Kingcase Primary School, Prestwick, S Ayrshire
Bikeability Scotland is designed to give children the skills and confidence they need both to cycle safely on the roads, and to encourage them to carry on cycling into adulthood.
Volunteer award winner, Gabriella Farquhar, described as “a beacon of positivity and a passionate advocate of safe cycling” has organised and run Bikeability Scotland sessions at Bridge of Allan Primary School for the past four years. In that time, she has gained the support of other parents, who have gone on to become volunteer instructors themselves, and more than 250 pupils have come through the programme.
Jacqueline Morrison won Pupil’s Choice based on testimony from P7 pupils who had completed training with her. She is recognised as a champion for cycling at Culross Primary, engaging the whole school community. Her input has had a lasting impact on pupils at the school.
Roman, a P7 pupil said “Jacqueline has helped me cycle on the road and kept me safe. This will help me when I go to high school and for the rest of my life.”
David Collins, Bikeability Scotland Development Officer, said: “There is so much excellent work going on across Scotland to get people, of all ages and abilities, cycling more often. Our Bikeability Scotland trainers help us to grow confidence in young people and to teach an essential life skill of riding a bike. These awards are a great way to recognise their work, and it is especially pleasing that the pupils themselves have a chance to nominate the trainers who so obviously make a difference to their lives.”