Connecting communities helping to build confidence on bikes for families in Glasgow

Gillian Paterson is a Family Engagement Officer with Early Years Scotland, delivering sessions at Barmulloch Community Development Centre in Glasgow. Through her role, she works closely with families, creating opportunities for connection, learning and play. Her involvement with our Connecting Communities project began when the Glasgow North team reached out to explore partnership working.

Gillian and her colleague saw an opportunity to build something new into their existing sessions. “The Connecting Communities Project made contact with us and asked if we were interested in some partnership work,” she explains. 

We thought it would be good to get the Tuesday morning group out in the fresh air and do something together being active. This is when it all started.

Since then, cycling has become a regular part of their weekly programme. The group now heads out most Tuesdays, with flexibility to use indoor space at the centre when the weather is poor. This consistency has helped build trust and routine, allowing families to gradually become more comfortable with the activity.

From hesitation to enthusiasm

The sessions are attended mainly by mothers with young children, including families who are new to Scotland. At first, there was some hesitation. 

When I suggested to the group to go and try out some bikes with their children sitting safely in cargo bikes and child seats they weren’t sure if this is a good idea, for a couple of weeks they were questioning it.

Over time, that uncertainty has shifted. Families are now actively enjoying the experience, with children especially enthusiastic about the sessions. “The kids have so much fun getting transported in a cargo bike going on a spin in the local park,” she says. One standout moment came when a father joined a session. 

He was taking his son out on a bike with a trailer attached and he enjoyed it so much that he was talking about it after the session and told us how much fun it was.

The opportunity to try something new

The partnership has created opportunities for families to try something completely new. As Gillian explains, "It has given some mums the opportunity to sit on a bike for the first time in their lives." 

With support from the Connecting Communities team, including learn to ride support, parents are building confidence at their own pace. The introduction of adapted cycles has been particularly impactful. 

They brought a side by side bike and that was great, especially for the parents who can’t cycle yet. It gave them the opportunity to experience the joy of cycling and feeling the wind in the hair.

Benefits both physical and wellbeing

Beyond physical activity, Gillian has seen clear benefits for wellbeing. “On some days some mums are a bit down in their mood, but after being outside in the fresh air they smile and are in a much better place.” The sessions provide a space where families can feel relaxed, supported and connected, while doing something enjoyable together.

The impact has also been personal for Gillian. As a parent herself, the experience has changed how she views cycling. “Since I am going on a bike each Tuesday with the Early Years group I discovered how much joy it brings,” she says. 

It brings back memories from being a child, the inner child comes out.

She now plans to cycle more with her own family and explore her local area by bike.

Looking ahead, Gillian and her colleagues are keen to build on this momentum. They hope to introduce more learn to ride opportunities for parents, particularly as the weather improves. “Once they are confident enough, they can enjoy riding a bike with their children in it. It is so much fun,” she says.

The partnership with Connecting Communities has strengthened the offer available to families and added real value to their sessions. “The Connecting Communities Project is a great project and the Development Officer is always very welcoming,” Gillian says. 

It’s so nice to use all the different bikes and options.

Through this collaboration, Gillian and her team have been able to create inclusive, engaging opportunities for families to be active together, helping build confidence, improve wellbeing and bring a sense of joy to their weekly sessions.

In partnership with Glasgow City Council this project is supported by funding from Transport Scotland through the People and Place Programme