Celebration time as kids pedal their way to success
A PROJECT aimed at teaching every preschool child in Glasgow how to ride a bike has celebrated success as its funding comes to an end.
The award-nominated Play on Pedals, was formed out of a partnership project from Cycling UK, Cycling Scotland, The Glasgow Bike Station and Play Scotland which was awarded £232,000 by the People’s Postcode Dream Trust Fund in 2014.
Partner organisations, community groups, early years’ establishments, parents, volunteers and children all celebrated Play on Pedals’ achievements at the event.
Since its formation, the organisation has reached more than 7000 children, trained 364 instructors in 182 nurseries and has funded 35 Hero Organisations to develop the project locally.
More than 260 community events have also been delivered by Play on Pedals across Glasgow since 2014.
As well as celebrating the project’s achievements, exceptional individuals and groups were recognised with an awards ceremony.
Children from the nearby Derby Street nursery demonstrated the skills they have learned since the project was brought to them.
Early years worker in Deanpark Nursery, Elaine Kilday, was recognised as an exceptional instructor having taught over 90 children to ride a bike.
Her group had previously been awarded funding through Play on Pedals as an Early Years Hero Organisation, which has allowed them to purchase more resources and to extend training to more children in the nursery, as well as involving parents and local bike organisations.
Elaine said: “When the children are pedalling, I’m the one that’s running up and down the playground, bouncing about, ecstatic and can’t wait for the parents to come in. You’re almost bursting at the seams for the parents to come in. That’s a feeling that I don’t think I’d experienced before within the nursery.”
Despite the People’s Postcode Lottery funding coming to an end, the project will continue with help from Glasgow City Council as part of the newly formed Glasgow Community Cycle Network.
Cycling Scotland has also received funding from Transport Scotland to roll out Play on Pedals training to more nurseries across 21 local authorities.