Monday, 26 May 2014
Friday, 23 May 2014
P3 Cycle Skills/Learn to Ride a Bike Sessions
Primary 3 children will be bringing their bikes and helmets to school next week. They will learn how to fit their helmets correctly, have a shot at pumping up their tyres, learn how to start and stop safely, learn how to control and manoeuvre their bikes, have some fun on our very own skills course and for those children who haven't quite mastered the art of bike riding we will be helping them achieve their goal. The sessions will be led by qualified cycle trainers who have worked with Sciennes' children for a number of years.
Bike Curious Family Workshop
Is your family bike curious? Would you like to get cycling with your children but don’t know where to start? Or you want to move from baby seat to trailer or tagalong? Our workshop at Sciennes Primary School will help you get pedalling with children on board!
Childcare – and hence family cycling – is more than just a woman’s responsibility but we’ve added this event onto the wider day because we thought it would be helpful for everyone (and it was exactly the sort of thing we would have wanted ourselves). So this day is for everyone, including those without any kids yet of their own.
We’ll have experienced ‘cycling families’ on hand to give you some advice, and show you what you’ll need to get your child attached to your bike safely. You’ll be able to try out a range of equipment, from both front and back mounted baby seats to trailers and tag-alogs. There will be a cycle ride tutor on hand to help you master your riding technique if your child is old enough to ride independently and a Dr Bike to check over any bikes you bring along.
There will also be some bike friendly crafts to try out and plenty of caffeine and cake for anyone that needs it!
We’ll be heading off round the Meadows for a family bike ride at 12 – come and join us!
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
Friday, 14 March 2014
Friday, 17 January 2014
Friday, 3 January 2014
PTA Bike Club
The PTA Bike Club run by Ross Crook mentioned in February edition of Tatler.
"Sport doesn't get top billing, but there are lots of parent-run clubs and great after-school activities - one pupil we spoke to happily skips off to bike club after lessons."
Monday, 25 November 2013
Using bicycles
Sciennes is well know for encouraging people to ride bicycles.
But bicycles can also be used as a tool for learning skills.
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
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.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
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).
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.
Thursday, 27 June 2013
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
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/
Friday, 21 June 2013
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.
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Thursday, 13 June 2013
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
P5 Cycling (Day 5)
Details here -
Also - remember the girl who bought a bike and learned to ride last week?
This is her today -
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!
Sunday, 9 June 2013
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!
She should be ready to join in with her classmates riding on The Meadows next week.
Friday, 7 June 2013
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 -
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
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.
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.
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Friday, 24 May 2013
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
Briefing ride helpers
Setting off
Waiting to join
Arriving
All ages
Thursday, 23 May 2013
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.
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.
Linda Young P3A Class Teacher
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
Saturday, 18 May 2013
P1 using New Scooter Bikes
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0c52iN4gaGw
| SCOOTER BIKES PROVIDED BY BIKETRAX
Edinburgh, Midlothian EH3 9QX
0131 228 6633 |
Friday, 17 May 2013
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