More than 1,300 primary schools in Scotland took part in Bikeability Scotland cycle training in the 2025-26 academic year, representing 70% of primary schools, figures collated by Cycling Scotland and local authorities have revealed.
- A record 70% of primary schools in Scotland now deliver Bikeability Scotland cycle training.
- More than 56,000 young people participated across Scotland.
- Nearly two thirds (64%) of primary schools delivering on-road training, a key road safety education programme.
- The Highlands sees the greatest growth, with two-thirds of schools now delivering cycle training.
In a record-breaking year for the national cycle training programme for school children, nearly two-thirds (64%) of primary schools in Scotland delivered on-road Level 2 cycle training – more than in any year since the programme launched in 2011.
Bikeability Scotland has been proven to increase road safety awareness in young people, equipping them with the skills and confidence to make everyday trips by bike more safely. Free for pupils, Bikeability is funded and co-ordinated by Cycling Scotland, the national cycling charity, through grant funding from Transport Scotland.
Overall, in this past academic year more than 56,000 pupils participated in Bikeability Scotland, with more than 550,000 young people benefiting from the programme since 2011.
This year, the greatest local increase in delivery was seen in the Highlands, where two-thirds (66%) of primary schools now offer on-road training. Four other councils also achieved their highest delivery rate of Bikeability training yet, including Angus (98% of primary schools), Argyll and Bute (62%), East Ayrshire (35%) and Falkirk (61%).
Half of local authorities delivered on-road Level 2 cycle training in at least 90% of schools, with 11 local authorities delivering in all primary schools in their area, ranging from cities to rural areas, and the central belt to the Islands, including: Aberdeen City, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Moray, Orkney, Scottish Borders, Shetland, Stirling and Western Isles.
Among the local authorities which had the most pupils participating in on-road Level 2 training were City of Edinburgh (1,705 pupils), Aberdeenshire (1,658) and Highland (1,594).
The results come after a survey with Bikeability coordinators across the country suggested that one in five pupils cannot ride a bike in early primary school. Access to bikes and additional training is being provided in many authorities to enable all to participate.
"It made me feel more confident on my bike and more confident on the roads. Everywhere that I go with my bike, I know what to do and where to go."
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said:
"I'm pleased that through Scottish Government funding more schools than ever are delivering Bikeability Scotland training."
"In doing so we are giving young people in communities across the country the skills and confidence to cycle safely on our roads."
"By enabling more children to travel actively and safely – through skills and segregated infrastructure – we're supporting healthier lifestyles, greater independence and our wider ambitions for safer, more sustainable transport for future generations."
Keith Irving, Chief Executive of Cycling Scotland, said: "It's fantastic to see more young people benefitting from Bikeability Scotland, with more schools across Scotland doing on-road cycle training than ever before."
"This means more children cycling and benefiting from being active, independent, having increased road safety awareness and learning a skill for life."
"Local authorities and the third sector are working together to deliver these results and to enable every child to have the opportunity to cycle, rather than a select few."
"Countries with the highest levels of cycling, such as the Netherlands, still provide national cycle training schemes for school children, showing its universal importance. Together with building a network of safe, dedicated cycle lanes and tackling dangerous driving, Bikeability Scotland training is essential to support more people to cycle."
