Local cycle volunteer recognised with national award

A local man who’s spent the last eight years helping train youngsters to cycle safely has picked up one of only four awards given out annually by Cycling Scotland.

Colin McAllister from Rendall was awarded the Cycling Scotland Highly Commended Volunteer of the Year Award 2016 recently for his work taking P5-7 pupils at Evie Primary School through their ‘Bikeability’ Level 1 and 2 cycle training since 2008.

He was nominated for the award by Head Teacher, Ingrid Rendall, who says he has gone beyond the call of duty to make sure each and every child is encouraged and challenged:

“Colin has a great way of explaining exactly what it is that each child needs to work on next.

“The children really look forward to getting this feedback and the individual challenges he gives them. Many of them now keen to cycle longer distances – a great health benefit.

“He’s also tackled the wider picture, working with the help of the county’s Road Safety Officer to get funding to purchase two pool bikes for the school and two trikes for children with additional support needs – meaning everyone has had the chance to participate, whether they have their own bike or not.”

Councillor Andrew Drever, Chair of the Orkney Road Safety Forum, presented the award to Colin. He said: “Having delivered cycle training as a volunteer for a number of years myself, I’m familiar with the time commitment involved in teaching cycling skills to our young people.

“This Cycling Scotland award is a very welcome recognition of the many hours Colin has given - I am pleased to present it to him and I thank him for his contribution to keeping our children safe on our roads.”

Colin, who is now retiring from his role, says he and his wife Jane first took up the baton when the school called for volunteers: “Jane and I know how important it is for us to contribute to the community especially as our children have benefitted from volunteers in various clubs. Ultimately, without folk willing to give up some time, the whole community suffers - you get out what you put in.

“I always cycled as a kid when I grew up north of Glasgow and appreciated the freedom it gave, as well as the knowledge of how mechanical things worked. I wanted the kids at Evie to get the same out of cycling as well as all the health benefits, but I also wanted to pass on the importance of cycling with confidence and with proper care and attention.

“When I started as a cycle training volunteer, my elder daughter was in P5 and my younger one in nursery.  Now my younger daughter is in P7 and soon to move on to Stromness Academy which seems like the appropriate time to pass the baton on to other willing parents.

“A course for new Cycle Training Assistants is coming up on 2 March and I’d encourage other parents to speak to their head teacher about helping out.

“Working with young people helps to moderate the tendency towards middle aged grumpiness and seeing youngsters enjoy themselves and succeed is never anything other than positive.

“I’d also like to mention the other adults who have helped with the training these last few years, namely Jane Rawle, Lottie Romaniszyn, Steve Tomalin and Ben Whitworth, who’ve helped make it fun for the kids.”

The next Bikeability Level 1 and 2 training course will take place on March 2 at the Pickaquoy Centre from 9:00 a.m. to 16:30 p.m. . The course is free and open to anyone with an interest in helping teach children to cycle. Volunteers would then start running sessions at their school from either the spring or summer term for a minimum of six sessions.  To book a place on the course, contact your local head teacher or email the Council's Road Safty Officer Yvonne Scott .