In a year when more than 53,000 pupils took part in Bikeability Scotland cycle training and fourteen Scottish local authorities delivered on-road cycle training at every primary school, the Bikeability Scotland Awards highlight the stories behind the statistics.
From East Ayrshire to Aberdeenshire, and from Midlothian to Orkney, this last academic year has seen extraordinary levels of commitment and dedication from schools, instructors, volunteers and coordinators.
The Bikeability Scotland Awards recognise outstanding achievement in three categories: the Keith Fergus Annual Achievement Award, School of the Year and Instructor of the Year.
The Keith Fergus Annual Achievement Award
Kieran Power, the Bikeability Coordinator for Midlothian is the winner of the Keith Fergus Annual Achievement Award 2025.
Recognised for his positivity, perseverance and commitment, Kieran oversaw 100% delivery in the local authority for the first time in 2025.
Kieran said: “The award is a genuine surprise. Cycling is on the up in Scotland and in Midlothian and I am happy to have played my part by helping all Midlothian primary schools undertake Bikeability training in the last year.
I can only assume because of my commitment to that, I've been recognised, which is wonderful, but also shines a light on all the schools, the parent volunteers and the staff at schools as well. Not just me, I'm just the face of it.”
Orkney Council, Road Safety Officer Yvonne Scott has been recognised for her long-standing commitment to cycle training with Highly Commended in the Keith Fergus Annual Achievement Award 2025.
Working closely with Active Schools, Yvonne’s dedication to Bikeability Scotland and the children of Orkney is reflected in the authority's now annual 100% delivery.
Yvonne Scott commented: “I love being involved with the kids in the school. I do different road safety initiatives in the schools and cycling is such a fun one. The kids love to cycle. They love to have that freedom.”
School of the Year
Bikeability Scotland School of the Year 2025 has been awarded to Williamston Primary School, West Lothian.
In a nomination that highlighted the school’s overall cycling culture and commitment to accessibility and inclusion, what set it apart was the shared commitment of both staff and students in making sure that every pupil is given the opportunity and support to complete Level 2 training before heading to high school.
Office administrator, Mary Shaw says: “[I was] absolutely shocked because we didn’t know that we were in for it. To come back after the summer to that email telling us was amazing.” Class teacher, Eva Petkova continues: “We deserve it though. We've got amazing kids and a lot of them choose to do all the levels. We don't have to advertise. We just say, these are the dates, and the kids go for it. It is really thanks to them.”
Our first Highly Commended School of the Year is Castleview Primary in Niddrie south-east Edinburgh.
The school has been recognised for a year in which their Bikeability programme has been transformed. Working together, Castleview Primary, Active Schools, Wider Achievement and Lifelong Learning, and the Bike Station have developed a programme that is beginning to have real impact on both pupils and their families.
Mark Foster (Wider Achievement and Lifelong Learning) commented: “It’s a really good school to work with. They really promote cycling opportunities within the school. One of the really good things is its very inclusive approach.
So, people who can't ride a bike yet get to learn to ride a bike, but also those who are more competent, they get to progress onto the road and learn those skills as well.”
Our second Highly Commended School of the Year is Killin Primary School. Located 40 miles north of Stirling at the western end of Loch Tay, Killin is located in the far north of the Stirling Council area.
Killin Primary School typifies many of the challenges faced by small rural schools in Scotland – especially in providing extracurricular activities for pupils in a way that is cost effective and sustainable. It has been recognised for its commitment to cycle training and its role as a Bikeability hub for other schools in the area.
Headteacher Peter Waugh said: “As rural schools and rural headteachers, if we can bring schools and children together, from our point of view, it's a transition opportunity. It's a chance for staff to get together to share practice. But equally, it's making the best use of the instructor’s time and it gives the children experiences that they wouldn't otherwise get.”
Instructor of the Year
Winner of the Instructor of the Year award is Lindsay Cameron, a class teacher at Kintore Primary School in Aberdeenshire.
Over the last three years, Lindsay has transformed Bikeability Scotland delivery at the school, with a focus on creating a comprehensive and sustainable programme. She has brought together a team of trained instructors and volunteers who together make sure all pupils leave for secondary school with Bikeability Levels 1 and 2 and the confidence and knowledge to take their cycling adventures further.
Lindsay Cameron commented: “Wellbeing is one of our school values and Bikeability is a part of that. Yes, it's teaching the kids to be safe coming to school, and we have a responsibility as a school to make sure that the children are coming to school safely, but it's also promoting that wider aspect of wellbeing for them.”
Our first Highly Commended Instructor of the Year is Jason Mitchell from Dunbar Primary School, East Lothian.
Volunteer Jason was recognised for his high standard of training combined with a calm and friendly manner. As a local firefighter, Jason fits his delivery outside of his shifts and has been a valued part of the East Lothian Outdoor Learning team.
Jason Mitchell said: “Every school will have kids with bikes, and I'd imagine that the majority of them will have kids that cycle to school. It's good exercise. It's safety going forwards. It's pre-empting them for when they're a bit older because the rules of the road carry forward to driving motorbikes and cars.”
Our second Highly Commended Instructor of the Year is Siobhan Richardson, a class teacher at Darvel Primary School in East Ayrshire.
Siobhan has been recognised for her exceptional dedication, her driven creativity, her ability to form and maintain partnerships, and her hard work in transforming the way pupils, staff and families engage with cycling at the school.
Siobhan Richardson said: “Our school is in the middle of the village and for some children it's just too far to walk. Whereas, if they can go on their bike, we're not getting as many cars up to the school and they're becoming more independent because they can cycle to school rather than having to get a lift. “
