Over 150 free bikes given to kids in Clacks, thanks to FEL Scotland’s Bike Buddies, promoting active travel and independence.
The project started in 2021, funded by SEStran’s program. They work with primary schools, who assist in finding kids who need bikes. Kids also receive a helmet, lock, and lights.
The program specifically helps kids transitioning to high school by teaching them safe routes to the bigger school. This eases the change for worried kids and gives them more freedom.
FEL Scotland also fixes bikes for P7 students, free for those bringing them to school. They teamed up with Clackmannanshire Council, and together, they fixed about 100 bikes.
Drew Taylor explained that bikes help with distance, as high schools are often farther than primary schools. Bikes are practical, save money, and help kids arrive ready to learn.
The program significantly impacts schools in the area. A teacher named Marco Giudice loves Bike Buddies, considering it a fantastic community project run by a great team.
The bikes are high quality and enable kids to cycle to school, play, and stay fit. Their confidence on a bike also rises, and kids now safely cycle to school.
One P7 boy praised his bike’s suspension and expressed his desire to ride it every day. Another kid liked the strong grip of the tires, deeming them perfect for the pump track.
By spring, they will have given out 237 bikes to 18 schools, all located in Clackmannanshire.