Pedal Play offers free cycling activities for children in community settings across Scotland. The programme runs from July 2026 to March 2027, with most sessions planned for school holidays. Its focus is not on racing or speed: children can learn to ride, improve their balance and handling, and become more comfortable on a bicycle in a welcoming setting.
The project grows out of an earlier learn-to-ride approach for younger children and extends support to those of primary school age. Sessions are planned in nine Scottish areas, including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Shetland. Working through existing local projects brings the opportunity closer to home and allows children to practise alongside their peers.
The programme aims to include children with disabilities or additional support needs, as well as families for whom access to bicycles or holiday activities is more difficult. That wider view matters: a child's first steps in cycling depend on more than the right-sized bike. A nearby place to practise, patient guidance and the freedom to progress at an individual pace all help turn an uncertain start into a useful skill.