Generous club donation helps buy much-needed trikes

This week, Ron Lawie and Brian Batson from Angus Cycling Club presented the trikes to John Bremner of Angus Cycle Hub. The new trikes will now be used to teach children living with disabilities to ride a bike who otherwise might not get that chance.

The man at the heart of it all is retired police officer John Bremner who has been Bikeability Scotland co-ordinator in Angus for five years.

He is delighted with the progress being made.

John said: “Initially, I only expected to be able to buy one trike with the donation and was planning to apply for funding in order to buy a second one.

“However, thanks to the generosity of Angus Cycling Club donating a much greater sum of cash from their charitable funds, we were able to buy two. This will make such a difference.”

He added: “These two trikes will ensure that school children with a disability or otherwise not yet able to pedal a two-wheel bike to participate in Bikeability Scotland sessions at their school.

“I have been able to secure ad-hoc access to a similar trike in the past, but now having two trikes dedicated to this training will mean requests for their use are easier to deliver.”

Bikeability Scotland is a national cycle training programme which has been devised for children of school age. The training aims to give young people the skills and confidence required to cycle on the road.

The benefits of Bikeability Scotland cycle training are significant and can also help a child’s emotional, social and physical well-being. The training also contributes to their hazard perception, awareness and overall confidence.

The training also encourages them to continue cycling into adulthood.

The Bikeability Scotland programme is delivered within a school setting, and it is aimed at supporting the next generation of responsible road users.

As a form of transport, cycling is good for our environment but it’s also an enjoyable leisure activity and a fun way to keep active.

A network of qualified instructors supports the programme, all of whom are volunteers from the local community.

Confident about continuing to deliver this beneficial local service, John added: “My target for 2022 is to hit 90 per cent of Angus primary schools delivering Level 2 on road training this year, despite the ongoing effects of this never-ending pandemic.

“The trikes have already been in use and will be out with me again this week in Montrose.

“We are all delighted with the donation, and our sincere thanks must go to Angus Cycling Club.”

For more information on the Bikeability Scotland programme, visit the organisation’s website at bikeability.scot.