Pedal Play: helping children in Scotland get active through cycling
Cycling UK is proud to be part of Scotland’s 2026 Summer of Sport, supporting children and young people to get active, build confidence and enjoy the benefits of cycling.
Through funding from sportscotland’s Summer of Sport fund, we’re delivering Pedal Play designed to help children learn to cycle, build skills and have fun close to home.
Pedal Play will run from July 2026 to March 2027, with most sessions taking place during the school holidays.
What is Pedal Play?
Pedal Play gives children the chance to learn, practise and enjoy cycling in a friendly community setting.
Pedal Play is based on Play Together on Pedals, our learn-to-ride programme that helps young children develop the skills and confidence to cycle. Pedal Play builds on that approach by extending support beyond early years to children across primary school age.
Sessions will help children to:
- learn to ride
- build cycling confidence
- improve balance, coordination and bike handling
- stay active during the school holidays
- develop life skills through play and movement
- enjoy cycling for everyday journeys, sport and wellbeing
Pedal Play will be delivered in nine areas of Scotland where Cycling UK already runs community cycling projects: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Midlothian, and Shetland.
Who is Pedal Play for?
Pedal Play is for children and young people in the areas where the programme is delivered.
We’ll provide support for those who may face barriers to taking part in cycling, sport or physical activity. This includes disabled children, children with additional support needs, and families who may find it harder to access bikes, free holiday activities or local opportunities to be active.
This includes children and young people from:
- lone parent families
- minority ethnic families
- families with a disabled adult or child
- families with a mother aged 25 or under
- families with a child under one
- families with three or more children
- young carers
- looked after and accommodated young people
- families living in areas of higher deprivation
Where Pedal Play will happen
Pedal Play will be delivered locally across Scotland. Contact the development officer in your area or visit your local Facebook page to find out about upcoming sessions, community events and opportunities to get involved.
Part of Scotland’s Summer of Sport
The 2026 Summer of Sport is a national initiative funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland. It aims to create free, targeted or reduced-cost opportunities for young people aged three to 26, particularly those facing disadvantage, to get active, stay active and enjoy the benefits of physical activity.
Sarah Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cycling UKWe’re delighted to be part of Scotland’s Summer of Sport and to bring Pedal Play to communities across the country.
Cycling can give children so much more than the ability to ride a bike. It helps build confidence, independence, life skills and a love of being active. Through Pedal Play, we want to make sure more children, including disabled children, children with additional support needs and families facing financial barriers, can experience those benefits close to home.
By working with local organisations that already know and support their communities, we can help make cycling more accessible, inclusive and sustainable long after the summer has ended.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes DunlopAt sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives. The 2026 Summer of Sport campaign, made possible by Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible. We’re proud to play our part in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.
To find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport, visit: sportscotland.org.uk/2026
Our work in Scotland
Pedal Play is part of Cycling UK’s wider work to help more people in Scotland access the benefits of cycling.
Through our programmes in Scotland, we support children, families, communities and organisations to build confidence, access bikes and make cycling part of everyday life.
