Sports and Outdoor Education

Sports and Outdoor Education Unit
City of Edinburgh Council
New Parliament House
Building 1, Room 5
5 - 7 Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH7 5BL
Tel: 0131 550 6838
Fax: 0131 556 4254

Cycling Development

Regardless of who you are, where you cycle, or what bike you ride, cycling can play an important part of following a healthy lifestyle. Whether viewed as a method of transport, a way of exploring new places, or as a competitive sport, cycling is one of the most accessible and inclusive activities for young people of all ages and abilities.

The purpose of the Cycling Development Officer is:

to promote and develop the sport of cycling for young people in the city of Edinburgh,
to organise and deliver holiday programmes,
to promote, arrange and deliver coach education and leadership courses,
to introduce and oversee the development of new cycling clubs in the city,
to develop pathways into competitive cycling for talented cyclists,
to assist in the monitoring and evaluation of grants and resources for cycling in Edinburgh.

This is achieved through the following work areas which target a range of age groups and levels of ability.

‘Play 4 It’ and ‘Go 4 It’

The Cycling Development Officer organises cycling activities as part of the popular Play 4 It and Go 4 It programme. During summer 2006 this included everything from basic cycle skills acquisition to adrenaline fuelled mountain biking trips to purpose built trails around central Scotland.

Adventure Edinburgh

Adventure Edinburgh gives young people aged 12 - 24 the opportunity to develop their skills and interests in walking, climbing and mountain biking. The Cycling Development Officer organises the mountain biking component for Adventure Edinburgh. Participants are encouraged to develop their technical and interpersonal skills in order to become self-sufficient mountain bikers and responsible young adults. Sessions have included bike maintenance, route planning, navigation skills, social evenings, and mountain biking in some of the Scotland's finest biking venues.

Cycle Club Development

The Cycling Development Officer is interested in working with City of Edinburgh Council Schools and Community Centres to set up and support cycle clubs. We are currently working to set up cycling venues in the South and the North of Edinburgh from which regular club rides will take place and young people have access to bikes, helmets, tools and expertise.

Sports Academy

Mountain Biking is the latest sport to be added to the City of Edinburgh Council's Sports Academy. The Sports Academy is a training and support programme designed to assist talented pupils reach their sporting potential.

Contacts

Further information on any of the above programmes or general enquiries regarding cycling in your school, community centre or club can be made to Richard Orr, the Cycling Development Officer.

Richard Orr
Cycling Development Officer

Bangholm Sports and Outdoor Education Complex
23 Craighall Gardens
Edinburgh
EH6 4RJ

Tel: 0131 551 4368
Mobile: 07909 935487

Fax 0131 551 4376

Email: edinburgh_cycling_development@yahoo.co.uk