Pre-school children in Glasgow are being given the chance to learn to ride a bike thanks to a partnership between Glasgow Life and the Play on Pedals project.

Providing increased opportunities for pre-school children (under-5s) to learn to ride a bike has been identified as a key priority by Glasgow Life following the recent publication of Glasgow’s Strategic Plan for Cycling. As part of this, Play on Pedals has secured a grant of £5,000 to ensure that it can continue grow capacity and deliver more opportunities for young people to ride a bike.

Since its launch in 2014 Play on Pedals has provided free cycling opportunities for thousands of under-5s and has distributed bikes and resources to those who cannot access them. The project also trains adults to become instructors and maintenance volunteers.

The project operates regular drop-in sessions including in the iconic Kelvingrove Park as part of Glasgow Life’s ParkLives programme. ParkLives was introduced last year and aims to encourage as many people as possible to have fun and get active in the city’s parks.

Cycling Development Officer at Glasgow Life, Jake Lovatt, said: “Learning to ride a bike is a life changing experience – it is a great way to have fun and exercise. It is also an activity that family and friends can enjoy together. This funding will allow Play on Pedals to continue to grow and is an important step towards making Glasgow a cycling city.”

Play on Pedals Development Officer, Polly Jarman, said: “The Play on Pedals project has gone from strength to strength over the last two years, as is evident at our citywide drop-in sessions. This additional funding generously provided by Glasgow Life will enable us to provide bikes to more groups across the city and to facilitate more regular family cycling activities to complement the existing programme.”

Play on Pedals currently has over 500 balance and pedal bikes for use across the city, including 100 second-hand bikes donated as part of a Bike Amnesty organised in partnership with Glasgow Life. These bikes have been made available to nurseries that are unable to purchase their own fleet of bikes.

Play on Pedals is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and winner of the 2014 Dream Fund. It is a partnership between CyclingUK, Cycling Scotland, Glasgow Bike Station and Play Scotland with support from Glasgow Life. Visit www.playonpedals.com for more information on the project.