Scottish Cycle Training Scheme

The Scottish Cycle Training Scheme (SCTS), is offered to all P6/7 pupils throughout Scotland by their local Road Safety Unit.

The scheme is designed to give pupils the skills and knowledge they need to ride safely and sensibly on the road and thus help reduce the significant numbers of child cyclists involved in road accidents. The students learn a variety of manoeuvres on and/or off-road, complemented by cycling theory in the classroom.

RSS developed a core framework for the scheme. However, there may be slight variation between the different Road Safety Unit areas.

The cyclists learn basic control exercises, emergency stop, right and left turns from minor to major and major to minor roads. All of these exercises include observation and signalling skills and a general awareness of traffic. The classroom based work covers the highway code, bike maintenance, journeying and environmental awareness. Pupils are either continually assessed on their progress throughout the course or undergo a test at the end. The scheme is linked to the National Curriculum Framework.

The scheme is run in partnership with primary schools, Road Safety Units and adult volunteers. All volunteers are fully trained, supported and monitored by their local Road Safety Unit.

If you would like to assist in a local cycle training scheme please contact your local Road Safety Unit.

Resources

A resource toolkit is available to schools through their local Road Safety Units. The materials contained within the kit are designed to cover not only the basics of cycling but also a range of other associated issues such as environmental topics and risks and responsibilities.

RSS encourages the continual assessment of children during the training, rather than a test at the end. However, RSS provides materials to cater for both methods of assessment. Support is also provided to Road Safety Units to assist with the training of trainers.

The SCTS materials can be downloaded by clicking here.

Also in the toolkit is a SCTS logo badge and a DVD which focusses on safe cycling manoeuvres.