I Bike - increasing physical activity and tackling the school run

I Bike is an innovative school project promoting cycling, walking and scooting. By empowering children, parents and teachers to travel actively, safely and confidently to school, I Bike encourages exercise and reduces traffic congestion, resulting in safer, happier and healthier communities.

pupils on bikes with their Sustrans I Bike cycle training instructor

Funded by Transport Scotland and the local authority, I Bike engages with children and young people experiencing barriers to cycling participation.

There's a specific focus on addressing the drop in cycling from primary to secondary school, and the gender gap in rates of cycling between boys and girls.

I Bike activities

Established in 2009, I Bike has a team of 10 officers and around 95 volunteers across nine different local authority areas in Scotland.

Each work intensively with around eight selected primary and secondary schools per year to deliver:

active travel breakfasts
assemblies
smoothie bike sessions
route mapping sessions
providing support to the school bike crew
learn to cycle sessions
bike skills sessions
led rides
led walks
bike clubs
bike maintenance sessions
training teachers and providing support to the school bike crew.

Outcomes of the I Bike project

Our work complements initiatives such as Active Schools and the delivery of school travel plans.

We deliver health and transport outcomes by helping schools to improve physical activity levels and manage traffic issues around the school gates.

The Hands Up Scotland Survey data from 2016 also showed exciting results, revealing that in I Bike schools average levels of active travel are 10.6% points higher than in non-I Bike schools (57.2% and 46.6% respectively).

I Bike Volunteers

Volunteers are a vital part of the I Bike programme, helping to deliver the various activities and create a culture of walking, scooting and cycling in the schools. We hear from three I Bike volunteers about how they got involved, what they do and why they volunteer.

Why I volunteer with I Bike: Richard, Hanne and Jo's stories