Most pupils will have a bike, and if they don't you can easily store around 20 in school . There are funding bids available to buy them and the storage containers for them. Why should you???
There are not many physical activities that we do at school which are guaranteed to make a re- appearance later on in your life. Cycling is one of them.......so why do so few of us include it in our PE programme? Too much hassle of access to equipment?, Too much risk of accidents? Too many problems with storage? Too many maintenace issues? Too many problems with access to appropriate cycle routes? and the list goes on. As educationalists we are supposed to be preparing pupils for life long learning and participation as well as encouraging them to increase their confidence in the skills they will require throughout life. YES there are loads of barriers to including cycling in your PE programme. YES its a hassle as a PE teacher to upkeep the bikes and ensuring all pupils have access to one that suits them. HOWEVER........ YES it's a physical activity that pupils will almost certainly access again sometime in their adult life. YES it is a LIFE SKILL that will enhance everyone's quality of life. YES it is an easily accessible form of exercise as an adult to help maintain your health and fitness. YES it is a cheap and accessible way to travel to work. YES it is a fun family activity for all to enjoy. YES it is an easily accessible recreational activity on most holidays/days away. YES it's a major sporting event that has a high media presence especially due to the annual Tour de France, and the most recent Olympic and Commonwealth Games publicity. so...... YES it should make a regular appearance in our PE programmes and not just a 6 week block of bikeability (cycle proficiency) in primary 6.
Experiences and Outcomes you will hit by including cycling
If we want pupils to be more road aware and feel they can cycle to work/school, cycle in the country or mountains to stay healthy, cycle on holiday recreationally or cycle competitively, we need to give them a better experience at school level!!!!! Lets face it, we wouldnt leave it up to parents at home to teach their children how to read or write, so we can't leave it to chance for parents to upskill their child to use a bike.
I will attach the E's and O's specific to cycling as soon as its complete, meanwhile, here are a few web links that may help to inspire you to give a bit more space/time to cycling on your PE programme.
Things I'd like to upload for you: North Ayrshire approved suppliers for bikes North Ayrshire approved Bike Maintenance/Mechanics North Ayrshire approved Bike Shelter suppliers A template Risk Assessment for cycling A 6 week lesson plan for level 2, level 3 and level 4. CPD identified training courses for teachers and pupils Links to some Local Cycling Clubs and networks links to some local and national cycling events and competitions links to funding bids or fund raising ideas that may help you get started
primary PE resources designed and edited by yvonne veitch