Cycle Training in Primary Schools Research

Transport Scotland and its partners want to ensure that all school children in primary six or seven are offered cycle training on public roads. However, evidence suggests that only around one fifth of primary schools offer on-road cycle training. There is limited evidence about why schools are not delivering on-road cycle training.

This research involved developing eleven detailed case studies setting out the
experience of planning, delivering and sustaining cycle training in primary schools
across Scotland. It focused on exploring the barriers to delivering on-road cycle
training in these schools, with a particular focus on how schools have overcome
obstacles to introducing sustainable on-road cycle training programmes.

Research summary
• All of the schools offering cycle training did so with primary six and/or primary seven children (in line with current RoSPA guidelines). Generally, teachers, parents, Road Safety Officers and Active Schools Co-ordinators felt this was an appropriate stage to deliver on-road cycle training.

• Overall, decisions about the type and level of cycle training offered at the case study schools were made by teachers – generally head teachers and deputy head teachers – working with their Road Safety Officer or Active Schools Co-ordinator. Support and guidance from these road safety professionals was critical in establishing and maintaining on-road cycle programmes.

• There was common agreement across teachers, support staff and parents that onroad
training was superior to playground based training – offering a more realistic
experience, faster learning and greater awareness of safety concerns.

• The biggest concern for schools relating to on-road training was being able to ensure pupil safety. Identifying enough volunteers to deliver on-road training was the most significant and common barrier identified by teachers, support staff and parents.