Bike Club launched in Scotland 30/06/2010

The latest exciting development in the progress of Bike Club has been the launch of the project in Scotland.

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Harry Burns, was the guest speaker at a Glasgow event that brought together key decision-makers within youth work, education, community development and transport policy sectors.

Bike Club uses cycling to create opportunities for learning and involvement among children, young people and their families. Small grants are available to youth clubs, young people’s groups and schools seeking to establish cycling-related activities within their communities.

Bike Club is a programme set up through cooperation between community learning and health experts ContinYou, youth organisation UK Youth and CTC, the national cyclists’ organisation. The latest extension to Bike Club’s work involves the additional involvement of Youth Scotland, ensuring Bike Club effectively meets the needs of children and young people in Scotland. Bike Club’s expansion has been made possible by funding from supermarket chain Asda’s Pedal Power campaign.

Dr. Burns spoke in detail about the public health challenges facing Scotland, and identified cycling as an ideal way for children and young people to develop healthy lifestyles. David Cox, vice chairman of CTC, explained the background behind the organisation’s work in cycling development, then Sarah Troke, Bike Club’s UK manager, provided more detail about the project’s achievements and the involvement of partners ContinYou, UK Youth and Youth Scotland.

Sarah introduced Scotland’s two Bike Club development officers, Victoria Leiper and Amy Hickman, who offer support to Bike Club applicants around Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian.

Delegates were then invited to discuss their ideas of how Bike Club can most effectively benefit the young people they work with. Conversation and debate took place as experts from various fields developed strategies of how best to set up cycling activities.

If you would like further infomation about Bike Club in Scotland, contact Victoria Leiper for advice relating to the Glasgow area, and Amy Hickman if your enquiry relates to Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife or the Lothians.

If you are in another area of Scotland, contact Suzanne West on 0131 554 2561 or suzanne.west@youthscotland.org.uk. For enquiries in other parts of the UK, contact the Bike Club development officer nearest to your location.