How Play Together on Pedals is getting it right for children across Scotland

From community cycling sessions and school programmes to specialist support for children with additional support needs (ASN), Play Together on Pedals (PTOP) instructors are creating safe, nurturing environments where children can develop new skills, experience success and enjoy being active with their families.

Delivered by Cycling UK in partnership with Cycling Scotland and Play Scotland, PTOP has helped more than 8,000 children in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, learn to ride since launching in 2014.

The programme currently operates across Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Lothian, Midlothian and Shetland, bringing cycling opportunities directly into communities, schools and early years settings.

Supporting GIRFEC through cycling

At its core, Play Together on Pedals supports many of the wellbeing indicators that underpin Scotland’s Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) framework including:

• Healthy through regular physical activity and movement.
• Achieving as they develop new cycling skills and reach personal milestones.
• Nurtured through supportive relationships with instructors, practitioners and families.
• Active by participating in enjoyable outdoor learning experiences.
• Respected and responsible as they gain independence and confidence.
• Included through accessible sessions, including dedicated ASN provision.

For instructor Joan Jensen, cycling provides children with skills that extend far beyond riding a bike. “I have always felt passionate about supporting young people when exploring cycling and helping them to develop this lifelong skill in their early years,” she said.

“I am keen to inspire children to become active learners, who develop a positive attitude towards leading a healthy lifestyle early, to enable them to become confident adults who value cycling in the future.”

Having delivered the programme for 14 years, Joan has witnessed the transformative effect cycling can have on a child’s confidence and wellbeing.

“It is rewarding to see children manage transitions, mastering the skill of pedalling after weeks of balancing, then beam with pride in their achievements.”

Building confidence one pedal at a time

While learning to ride a bike is often seen as a childhood milestone, Play Together on Pedals instructors say the real impact lies in the confidence children gain along the way. Instructor Connor Emordy, who first became involved through a university placement, enjoys seeing children develop over a series of sessions.

“The most rewarding thing about the PTOP sessions is being able to watch the children improve after each session and be proud of the progress they’ve made and their achievements over the course of the sessions.”

Connor particularly values the opportunity to work with children over several weeks within school programmes.

“I’m able to work with the same children consistently over the five weeks and can help them progress from week to week, developing their skills and being able to celebrate that with them.”

It is rewarding to see children manage transitions, mastering the skill of pedalling after weeks of balancing, then beam with pride in their achievements Joan Jenson, Play Together on Pedals instructor

This sustained support helps children build resilience, perseverance and self-belief, all key outcomes associated with GIRFEC's vision for Scotland’s children and young people.

Families learning together

A defining feature of Play Together on Pedals is the involvement of parents and carers. Community sessions are designed to help children learn to ride as well as to give families the knowledge and confidence to continue their cycling journey together.

For instructor Chloe Emordy, empowering parents is one of the most rewarding aspects of the role. “To be able to share the skill with people and parents of how to teach someone to ride their bike. Being able to teach parents how to teach their children.”

She particularly enjoys seeing families return week after week and celebrate progress together. “You get to see the same people come along and go from a balance bike to fully learning to ride their bike. The parents also get to be involved in teaching their children to ride.”

One of Chloe’s standout memories involved a young girl who attended community sessions over an extended period. “She started as a fully beginner balancer and learned to fully ride her bike, and seeing her and her parent realise that they had finally done it and can now ride.”

These shared achievements help strengthen family relationships while encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.

Ensuring every child feels included

A key part of PTOP’s success is its commitment to ensuring every child can participate, regardless of their individual needs. Both community and school-based ASN sessions provide tailored support for neurodivergent children and those with additional support needs.

Joan brings extensive experience in early years practice and ASN support to her sessions. “These sessions allow all children to feel included and individualised for their specific age and stage of development,” she explained.

She highlighted how cycling can help improve balance, posture, physical stability, spatial awareness and confidence while also reducing anxiety and supporting emotional wellbeing.

PTOP instructors adapt sessions to suit each child’s communication style, learning preferences and sensory needs, creating a nurturing environment where children can learn at their own pace. For instructor Karen Ballard, who has been involved with PTOP since the programme began more than a decade ago, flexibility is essential.

“In community ASN sessions you have time to get to know the child and work out how to help them the best. It’s a quieter, safer environment where they are able to express themselves freely without being a danger to themselves or others.”

You have time to get to know the child and work out how to help them the best. It’s a quieter, safer environment where they are able to express themselves Karen Ballard, Play Together on Pedals instructor

This person-centred approach reflects GIRFEC’s focus on understanding and responding to the unique needs of every child.

Lasting impact beyond the bike

For many instructors, the greatest reward is seeing the long-term difference cycling makes in children’s lives. Karen recently met three brothers she had taught several years ago.

“They are now training at the velodrome and use their bikes to cycle to school and everywhere else. It’s great to see children out and about on the bike and seeing the difference learning has made to them.”

Stories like these demonstrate how early interventions can help establish positive habits that continue throughout childhood and beyond.

Through expert instruction, family engagement and inclusive practice, PTOP instructors are helping Scotland’s youngest children become healthier, more confident and more active.

In doing so, they are bringing the principles of GIRFEC to life, ensuring children feel supported, included and empowered as they take those first important pedals towards independence.