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All P5s,
P6s and P7s are invited to join - along with
their teachers and related
adults.
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We
will meet fortnightly on Friday afternoons and
go out cycling, mainly on cyclepaths
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like
the former railway lines or the canal towpath
that we used to get to Spylaw Park last summer.
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- NOTE
It may be necessary to limit numbers on rides if there
aren't sufficient adult
helpers.
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- A New Club for
You
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- The Sciennes
Safe Routes to School Group is proud to announce a new
club, the Sciennes School Cycle Club. The Club is open
to P5s, P6s, P7s and their parents.
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- Accompanying
parents may bring younger or older siblings. We will
meet approximately once a fortnight on Friday
afternoons. Destinations planned so far include
Duddingston and Portobello. Hopefully we'll find
somewhere to have an ice cream too!
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- You will also
be taught how to look after your bike, carry out
safety checks and mend punctures. Members of the club
will be eligible for discounts and special offers at
some local bike shops.
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- You don't have
to come with a parent but it would be great if you
could get one to come too. If they have never cycled
or don't even have a bike then we can lend them one.
You never know &endash; they might enjoy it so much
that they'll take you out themselves at the weekend or
in the holidays! We can also lend children's bikes if
you don't have one.
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- In the summer
we might even have a longer cycle trip on a Saturday
or a Sunday so that we could get right out of
Edinburgh.
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- If you join,
it will be your club and you can tell us what sort of
places you would like to visit. To join you must get a
parent to fill in the coupon and hand it to your class
teacher or to the school reception.
- Please read
this with a parent
- But isn't
cycling with children dangerous?
- Safety will be
of paramount importance to us. Routes will be
carefully chosen so that most of our cycling will be
on quiet roads or on traffic free cyclepaths such as
the Innocent Railway. Where we can't avoid crossing a
busy road or junction we will get off our bikes and
walk using pedestrian crossings wherever possible.
There are some great places to cycle in Edinburgh and
it is possible to cycle out to Balerno, Portobello or
even Pencaitland using mostly towpaths or old railway
lines.
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- Children must
have good control of brakes and steering and be riding
a bike of the correct size for them. All bikes will
receive a safety check before the first ride and
children and parents will be shown how to do this for
themselves.
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- There will
always be at least two experienced cyclists on each
ride who know the route but we would like as many
parents as possible to join in so that there is at
least one adult for every five
children.
- But I haven't
ridden a bike for years and I'm not sure that I can
anymore!
- The rides
chosen are ideal for beginners; away from traffic,
mostly flat and along leafy backwaters. We promise to
go at a pace that means no one is left behind. The
distances covered can be managed comfortably in the
time that we have, with plenty of time for a rest
before the ride back. Our aim is to have fun and cater
for everyone. Occasionally we may organise a longer
ride, for example, out to Pencaitland, but we will
give everyone plenty of notice of this.
- Great, my
child would love to come but I don't have a
bike...
- Yes, we've
thought of that too. We have a small number of bikes
that parents can borrow so if you can't find someone
to lend you a bike give us a ring. We will try and
find one the right size for you. We also have a small
number of children's bikes. A local bike shop,
BikeTrax, will hire newer bikes out at discounted
rates to Sciennes parents.
- What about
younger brothers and sisters?
- Both older and
younger siblings of P5 &endash; P7 pupils are welcome
to join in when accompanied by a parent. If the
children are very young or you are unsure of their
abilities to cope with the planned cycle ride then why
not consider trying out a trailer-bike (fixes to your
bike and your child pedals), or a bike trailer
(suitable for 2 children ages 9 months &endash; about
6 years)? We have a very small number that can be
borrowed for bike rides. BikeTrax will also hire these
out to Sciennes parents at a discount.
- I have an old
bike but I'm not sure that it's
roadworthy.
- Two local bike
shops, BikeTrax and David's Bicycle Store have agreed
to do free safety checks on bikes for us, so get it
out, dust it off and get it checked
out!
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- BikeTrax
Lochrin Place, Tollcross 228 6633 Dave's Bicycle Store
(sells second hand bikes) 39 Argyle Place 229 8528
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- So when do we
come and what do we bring? - pto!
- We have two
rides planned for this term with more in the summer.
Put these dates in your diary now!
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- March Friday
12th. Friday
26th.
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- April Friday
30th.
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- May Friday
14th Friday 28th
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- We will meet
in the Sciennes playground at 1pm and return to
Sciennes at approximately 3.30pm. Have lunch before
you come. Parents are entirely responsible for
ensuring that their child gets to and from school
safely with their bike. If you are cycling with them
choose your route carefully. Go on quiet roads,
consider dismounting to cross busy roads and take
care!
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- Wear old
clothes and come prepared for the weather. Bring a
bike lock and pocket money just in case we visit a
café. It's a good idea to wear a cycle helmet
if you have one. Children MUST wear
helmets.
- What happens
if it rains?
- We want to
have fun so really wet, windy or cold weather will
mean that a session will be cancelled. A slight shower
won't put us off. We may also do bike maintenance,
learn how to mend punctures etc. as a bad weather
alternative. If the weather is looking doubtful and
you need to find out what is happening, phone Cathy
Scott on 667-6740 on the morning of the
ride.
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- If you would
like to join please fill in and return the slip below.
We would like to have an idea of numbers so that we
can plan rides so please let us know on which dates
you really will or will not be able to come. We will
give out another slip later that will ask you to fill
in next term's dates.
- If you have
any questions or would like to borrow a bike so that
you can come too, please contact Cathy Scott on
667-6740.
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- To: Sciennes
Primary Safe Routes to School Group, c/o school
reception
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To be filled in
by a parent!
My child(ren)
would like to join the Sciennes School Cycle
Club
Name
………………………Class……..…
Name
………………………Class……..…
I agree that my
child(ren) can join the Sciennes School Cycle Club and
go on the organised bike rides. I will ensure that my
child(ren) get/s to and from the school safely with
their bike. Their bike(s) have been checked by me and
are roadworthy. My child(ren) will;-
Obey the
highway code.
Ride sensibly
and have full control of their bike(s).
Stay with the
group and follow the instructions of the ride
leaders.
- My child(ren)
is/are planning to come on the following
dates:
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Friday 12th.
March: YES/NO
Friday 26th.
March: YES/NO
I will/will not
be able to accompany them.
If you are
accompanying your child(ren) then you may bring along
older or younger siblings. If so, how many children in
total will you have with you?
………..
Signed by (Name
in
capitals)…………….…….….
Signature…………………………Date………….
Contact phone
number on Friday afternoon
……………………
The Club charge
will be £5 (until the end of June)
£2.50 for
those on Income Support.
Please DON'T
send money with this form
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