Wednesday November 8th 2023
Burnbrae pupils with Councillor Diane Alexander.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Burnbrae Primary School in Bonnyrigg has been selected as runner up for the Cycling Scotland Bikeability School of the Year award.
Bikeability Scotland is the national cycle training programme for school children, to provide every child with the confidence to make everyday trips by bike more safely. The training is delivered by qualified instructors, with the programme managed by Cycling Scotland, in partnership with local authorities, and funded by Transport Scotland.
Overall 1121 pupils took part in Bikeability Scotland training across the 20 Midlothian primary schools in 2022/23. During this time 165 level 1 or level 2 certificates were issued to pupils at Burnbrae Primary School.
The training consists of flexible sessions delivered in school time in line with the National Standard for cycle training. Level 1 provides the basics of cycling as well as working on pupils confidence and their technique. Roads around the school are then used for level 2 to allow the pupils to gain road sense, master cycling manoeuvres and ride more safely when cycling to school or out with family or friends. Pupils at Burnbrae Primary School have completed both levels.
In awarding the commendation, judges commented on:
– The school’s offer of fully inclusive training
– Supporting pupils with complex needs to take part and achieve
– Commitment and dedication to ensuring that P6 and P7 pupils have the opportunity to participate in the programme
– The investment of staff time in training as instructors
– Inspiring other schools in the area to see that participation in the programme benefits both the pupils and the wider school community
Cllr Dianne Alexander cabinet member with responsibility for active travel congratulated the school:
“This is excellent news. Well done to school staff for organising the training and pupils for participating in the training. This has taught lifelong skills, and made pupils more active and increased their confidence to travel by bike, which in the long run is good for physical and mental health, and the environment. We should all be encouraged to think about how we travel, and its impact on our carbon footprint.”
David Collins, Bikeability Scotland Manager said:
“We are so pleased to celebrate each of this year’s winners’ contribution to delivering Bikeability Scotland cycle training in their local areas, and the brilliant impact each has had in helping more young people gain important lifelong skills. It has been so rewarding to see a record of over 60,000 pupils receive Bikeability Scotland cycle training this year, a testament to the work of instructors across Scotland who are giving the next generation the skills and confidence to travel by bike, feel healthier and help tackle the climate emergency.”
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