Using bicycles

Sciennes is well know for encouraging people to ride bicycles.

But bicycles can also be used as a tool for learning skills. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXrGT7x3LJI

Testing the seesaws

Today Sciennes got a couple of new seesaws.

One is longer and narrower than the ones already used to assess and improve cycling skills - usually before Bikeability cycle training. 

The other is ideal for younger children to use with the school's 'balance bikes'. 

Today was the first time some of the new P1s got the chance to use them. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwL67Vc7Sdk

P6 Cycle Training

Another school year and a new set of children eager to learn how to ride safely on the road.

This is day two with the second P6 class. 

First basic bike checks - tyres blown up hard, saddles the right height and angle, brakes and gears working efficiently.

Followed by a bit of well-controlled playground cycling.

This term we have a new trainer with us,
Eloy from MYDG (http://www.mydg.org.uk).

After break it's the fabled skills course (with seesaws) and after lunch the first on-road session. 

FREE bikes success

How could it not be!

After yesterday's email offer, Angela was inundated with 'yes pleases'. 

Extra bikes had to be collected from the Bike Station, which had donated them. 

So there'll be a few more children cycling by next term. 

Scooter Bikes Available

We have a selection of small scooter bikes which are ideal for learning to ride a bike. These are suitable for P1, P2 and pre-school children and are absolutely free. If you would like one please email angela.christie@sciennes.edin.sch.uk or call in at the school office before the end of term.

Spokes have produced an excellent fact sheet on "How to get your Child Cycling" which can be found at
http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/documents/advice/commuting-with-kids/

Sciennes Family Cycling Picnic

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our cycle to Spylaw Park. We met Stenhouse Primary who were also out cycling and joined them for a game of cricket. Wonderful singing on the way home and the Sciennes song was heard by all passers- by. A special thank you to Robert Gormley and Colin Russell who helped get us there and back.

Sciennes Big Ride 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEM_rWQJ81E

Sciennes cyclists meet the Minister

- and will be on STV later!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2fjq4uuNVc

Don't forget bike trip to Spylaw - Friday

Route -

http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/32632861

Previously -

http://www.sol.co.uk/s/sciennes/old/sr2s/scspylaw.htm

P5 Cycling - the video evidence!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAJsz9yZSwI

P5 Cycling (Day 5)

Details here -

http://2008sciennes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/p5-cycles-in-meadows-and-quartermile.html

Also - remember the girl who bought a bike and learned to ride last week?

http://sciennesactivetravel.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/bike-sale-success.html

This is her today -

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mZmYCeDbsiQ

P5 Cycling (Day 4)

Well obviously a bit of rain wouldn't put off P5s. 

They toured The Meadows and found the newly widened North Meadow Walk. 

Very smooth!

Family Cycle Picnic

DON'T FORGET -

Sciennes Family Cycle Picnic to Spylaw Park leaving school at approx. 1pm and returning 4.30pm. 

If you think this is new and exciting, it's worth remembering that it was first done fifteen years ago -

http://www.sol.co.uk/s/sciennes/old/sr2s/scspylaw.htm

- but not most years since then. 

Sciennes has been encouraging people to cycle all that time though -

and it's working. 

It's likely that people from Liberton and Stenhouse Primaries will be there too. 

It's a great destination. 

Bike Sale Success

On a hot summer day(!) the back playground was filled with children trying bikes.

The trouble with children is that they keep growing. Nothing puts them off cycling more than a bike that's the wrong size. 

Fortunately there was a good choice around £10.

One P5 girl had only started learning to ride this week as part of the Sciennes Cycling Programme. 

She was determined to ride her newly bought bike - and practised for about an hour!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INH_cT43vMA

She should be ready to join in with her classmates riding on The Meadows next week. 

A Parent Writes

"I just wanted to thank you for a superb bike session that X (P5X) had on Xday. He was reticent about taking his bike (we are not a big cycling family) but came home buzzing telling me about how he can fix his bike and ride on ramps. Thank you also for sorting his bike out which obviously needed some tlc!"

Edinburgh Festival of Cycling 15-23 June

Something for the weekend…Festival of Cycling

The first-ever Edinburgh Festival of Cycling starts on Saturday 15 June and runs until the following Sunday (23 June). There’s a whole range of events - group bike rides, family bike rides, mountain bike trails, SkyRide, barbeques – and many of them are free to take part in.

Take a look at the programme or visit www.edfoc.org.uk to find out more. There’s bound to be something for you.

P5 Cycling (Day 3)

Another day, another class. 

One boy couldn't ride a bike. 

25 minutes later he could (to the cheers of his classmates). 

All it required was a school bike (pedals removed to practice 'scooting' and get used to balancing), an experienced helper - and determination. 

Some children learned how to adjust their gears so that they change properly when the lever clicks. 

Others helped each other oil 'dry' chains -

P5 cycling (Day 2)

Proper fitting of helmets often takes time - but it's important they don't fall off when needed most!

It's P5's Turn

This term Sciennes has put on cycling activities for most of the younger children.

One reason was to find any that couldn't cycle - or at least without stabilisers.

The School's new 'balance' bikes have made the process much easier!

We've lost count of the number who can now cycle - but it would need several hands.

Today the first of the three P5 classes got their turn. In the morning the children had their bikes checked for general safety and also comfort - making sure the tyres were blown up hard, the saddles were the right height and the brake levers were in easy reach.

Then they tried the obstacle course in the playground. 

In the afternoon a trip to The Meadows. 

All good fun of course, but also great preparation for next term when they become P6s and do Bikeability 2 training. 

IT'S OFFICIAL!

 

 Sciennes has been recognised as a 'Cycle Friendly School' by Scottish Cycling.

Two of our newest cyclists, Abi and Rose from P3, accepted the award at Assembly on Friday.

May Big Ride

Rain half an hour before the ride's departure time reduced the numbers.


 Briefing ride helpers
Setting off
 
Waiting to join
 
Arriving
 
 All ages

Cycle to School Day Friday 24th May

Last month we had 125 children and parents cycling from King's buildings to School. 
Let's try and beat that number tomorrow. Weather may be chilly so wrap up!

Ride starts from King's Buildings at 8.20 sharp. Either join us at the start or feed in from the side streets as we cycle past.

Primary 3 Cycle Skills Sessions

What an amazing experience for our P3 classes! It was a focused approach to developing cycling skills in small groups with an experienced trainer. Now the children understand the need to move at a slower pace and still keep their balance. By gaining better control they can put their hand out to signal a turn. When their bike is kept straight they have greater control. They discovered that toes on the pedals gives more power.

In addition it was lovely to see one or two children make the transition from using stabilisers to cycling independently.

Many thanks to Angela Christie for her knowledgeable input and for organising this remarkable event and the rest of the team.         

Linda Young P3A Class Teacher

Pedal on Parliament

P1 using New Scooter Bikes

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0c52iN4gaGw

SCOOTER BIKES PROVIDED BY BIKETRAX

11-13 Lochrin Place

Edinburgh, Midlothian EH3 9QX

0131 228 6633

Primary 3A Cycle Skills Sessions

Well done to all the children but particularly to Abi  and Rose who learned to ride their bikes in just 2 sessions.

P1"Learn to Ride a Bike" sessions

Sciennes April Cycle to School Day

A big THANK YOU to everyone who took part in the ride today and to everyone else who cycled to school.  

Over 120 children and adults joined the ride and we counted 156 bikes in the playground!

A special thank you to our ride leaders Jonathan Hall and Lucy, Colin Russell, Robert Gormley, Iain Kearton and to Chris Hill for the following photographic record.