Local schools move up a gear with new bikes funding
Four local primary schools have moved up a gear in getting pupils active and outdoors, after Falkirk Council secured more than £41,000 to put them on two wheels.
The funding, from SEStran's Access to Bikes and Cycle Parking programme, has provided 88 bikes, 88 helmets and four storage containers across Hallglen Primary, Langlees Primary, St Patrick's, and Sacred Heart.
The schools were chosen for this first round of support because of their existing commitment to cycling and active travel.
Having a full fleet of bikes on site means they can plan cycling activities with confidence, knowing every pupil has access to a suitable, well-maintained bike.
Putting pupils in the saddle
The bikes are being used to deliver Bikeability Scotland training - the national cycle training programme that teaches children the skills and confidence to ride safely on the road - as well as supporting wider curriculum activities, from science to local history.
Having a fleet of correctly sized bikes at school means pupils no longer need to bring their own, removing a barrier that has historically prevented some children from taking part at all.
The secure storage containers are also a key part of the scheme. Well-maintained and correctly stored, a fleet of school bikes can last up to seven years - meaning children currently in Primary 1 could one day use the same bikes for their Bikeability Level 2 training as today's P7 pupils.
Making a difference in schools
Schools have welcomed the difference the bikes are already making.
Brian McLaren, headteacher at Langlees Primary, said:
Having our own fleet of bikes has made a real difference to what we can offer our pupils. Every child can now take part in Bikeability training and we're already seeing the impact - not just in cycling confidence but in how much the children are enjoying being active outdoors. It's a fantastic resource for our school.
St Patrick's RC Primary School shared that enthusiasm.
Headteacher Stacy Black said:
These bikes are already making a difference to our pupils and we're excited about what they will make possible over the coming years. Every child deserves the chance to learn to cycle safely and confidently and having the right equipment in school means we can make sure that happens for every single pupil.
Future rollout
The long-term ambition is for every local primary school to have its own fleet of bikes, with the Council currently in discussions with SEStran to secure funding that would see another four schools benefit in 2026/27.
Councillor Paul Garner, Deputy Leader of Falkirk Council, and a keen cyclist himself, said the project is exactly the kind of investment that makes a lasting difference.
He said:
I know first-hand how much cycling can open up for a young person - the independence, the confidence, the simple joy of it. Making sure every child has access to a safe, well-maintained bike at school means no one misses out. That's what this is really about.
Sandra Lavergne, Project Officer at SEStran, said:
We’re delighted to support this initiative through our People and Place programme. Providing schools with their own fleet of bikes removes a key barrier to participation in cycle training and ensures every pupil has the chance to learn to cycle safely and confidently.
“It’s encouraging to see the immediate difference this is making, not only in pupils’ skills and confidence, but in their enjoyment of being active outdoors. We look forward to seeing the long-term impact this investment has.