Road Safety

Bikeability Scotland

Bikeability Scotland Delivery - Highland Council

Bikeability Scotland training is available for all school children, but typically delivered in Primary 5-7 in the Highland Council area.

The training teaches children to cycle safely on the roads, learning how to deal with traffic and other hazards. Above all, Bikeability Scotland is designed to be fun and get children excited about cycling.

Bikeability Scotland can be delivered by either a trained member of staff or volunteer, delivery must be in strict accordance with the protocol documents shared directly with schools. Copies of these documents can be requested from the Bikeability Scotland Coordinator or downloaded through the links below:

Bikeability Scotland Instructor (BSI) - formerly known as CTA/Cycle Training Assistant

The following courses are available for school staff and volunteers to book on the Cycling Scotland website. Contact the Bikeability Coordinator or your local school for the password required for booking:

If you don't see a suitable date you can request additional courses.

Bikeability Scotland Coordinator (BSC) Highland

The BSC is on maternity leave for a year from 1 April 2022. The Road Safety Team can be contacted in her absence road.safety@highland.gov.uk

Risk Assessment

Risk assessments must be undertaken by the BSI/HT and added to Evolve by the school before any Bikeability session takes place. Templates for Level 1 and Level 2 are available to download on our website.

Both levels of risk assessment must be sent to the Bikeability Coordinator (or Road Safety Team in her absence) for approval before use.

Dr Bike Sessions - 2021/22

Free Dr Bike sessions are available to a limited number of schools who are new or returning to delivery of Level 2 On Road Bikeability.

The Bikeability Coordinator can help set up a session with a local bike shop or mechanic to ensure bikes taking part in Bikeability sessions are road worthy.

I Bike or Go By Cycle schools should arrange Dr Bike sessions through their school contact.

Bike Fleet

Funding from Cycling Scotland was secured in 2020/21 to purchase 16 bikes for use across the Highlands for Bikeability training. The bikes are available in two sizes suitable for P5 to P6 and P6 to P7.

If you would like to borrow a bike for Bikeability sessions at your school please get in touch with the Bikeability Coordinator (Road Safety Team in her absence).

Data Return Survey & Resource Order

2021 to 2022 Data Return Survey, all schools who have taken part in Bikeability training this year must complete this data return, closing date 1 July 2022.

2022 to 2023 Mid-year Data Return, all schools who have undertaken or intend to undertake training in this academic year must complete the data return, closing date 16 December 2022 - LINK AVAILABLE NOVEMBER

The 2022 January to June training resource order has now been submitted to Cycling Scotland. If resources are required before the next order survey is available in June, please complete the following survey request. Rresponses will be collated and sent out in batches.

  • Resource Order August 2022 to January 2023, closing date 30 June 2022 (Link available May 2022)
  • Resource order January to June 2023, closing date 13 January 2023 (Link available November 2022)

Highway Code Changes - 2022

The Highway Code has recently been updated, the changes are underpinned by a hierarchy of road users – those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the risk to others: people driving will be responsible for ensuring people cycling, walking and wheeling are safe, while people cycling will be responsible for looking out for those walking and wheeling. Many of the changes to the Highway Code are not new, but are clarifying or explaining existing rules.

Read the full highway code

At this stage there is no change to the materials shared with riders and parents for Bikeability Scotland Levels 1 and 2. However, the Level 2 Instructor notes have been updated. The key changes are found on:

  • pages 44 to 49, relating to giving priority to pedestrians waiting to cross side roads

For Bikeability Scotland Level 3 the ‘Essential Cycling Skills’ rider guide has been updated. The key changes are on:

  • page 18, with updated guidance on priorities and giving way to pedestrians waiting on side roads
  • page 22, with updated guidance on filtering to the left (whilst retaining the recommendation to filter on the right if there is space)
  • page 40, with updated guidance on road positioning and riding two abreast on narrow or rural roads

Useful links:

Related Downloads

Related pages