The Play on Pedals scheme, launched through a partnership between Enjoy East Ren and Cycling Scotland, has already helped more than 200 pre-schoolers in East Renfrewshire gain confidence on two wheels.
The programme helps to support and train nursery staff and provides bikes to help youngsters begin their cycling journey.
St Cadoc’s Nursery in Newton Mearns was one of the first to adopt the new programme.
Children in East Renfrewshire are learning to cycle at nursery, thanks to a new partnership scheme. (Image: Supplied)
Claire Friel, child development officer at St Cadoc’s Nursery, said: “We started last year on a full-day course teaching children how to cycle, first of all on a balance bike through playing games and building up confidence to cycle a pedal bike.
“The children are very enthusiastic and excited to go outside.
“You can see their confidence build, they’re making friends and taking turns, working on skills like teamwork, learning to share space and resources.
“They love it.
“We just started last year and had over 25 pre-school and primary one children cycling by the summer.
“Play on Pedals is a fantastic initiative for the kids’ wellbeing and enjoyment.
“Cycling is for life, so it’s a great skill to learn.”
The pilot was so successful that Enjoy East Ren plans to expand the programme to all local nurseries.
Last year, 21 early years staff across 10 nurseries were trained, and each setting received a fleet of seven bikes.
Training will be offered to staff at a further nine nurseries this year.
Kerry Comerford, Active Schools co-ordinator for Enjoy East Ren, praised the positive response.
She said: “We’ve been discussing the Play on Pedals programme and gauging interest in cycling with the nurseries in East Renfrewshire, and we were met with open arms and a real sense of enthusiasm to get going.
“The feedback from the children is on their faces.
“They are delighted to take part, and the sense of achievement when they are successful in getting onto a pedal bike is fantastic to see.
“Play on Pedals is such an important initiative.
“It’s so important for kids to learn to cycle, and to do that through the nursery is fantastic.”
The scheme also has the backing of parents, who have praised its effectiveness in helping children quickly develop cycling skills.
Children in East Renfrewshire are learning to cycle at nursery, thanks to a new partnership scheme. (Image: Supplied)
Joanna Hendry, cycle training and development officer at Cycling Scotland, said: “The nursery stage is the perfect age for kids to learn. It’s all play-based, helps with their cognitive skills and balance skills and is great fun.
“The feedback is amazing – parents say they’re trying to teach the kids for two years, then they do a couple of sessions at nursery, and they’re flying on their bikes.
“Parents and carers should not have to pay for their child to learn to cycle.
“There are so many kids cycling now, and the progress in East Renfrewshire has been phenomenal.
“The Play on Pedals programme is supported by Transport Scotland.
“We provide grant funding for nurseries to get a bike fleet, helmets and for early year practitioners to get trained to deliver the programme to the nursery kids.”