Play on Pedals rains supreme for Senga!

But the sunny smiles on the faces of the pre-school children she has helped learn to ride has made Play on Pedals such a worthwhile project for Senga and the many other instructors involved.

Senga said: “On the training day itself, it was pouring with rain and we were soaked through – we had to dry our clothes in the tumble-dryer at lunch. But the children didn’t seem to care!

“I was really excited to start the programme in my nursery – now everyone calls me the ‘Bike Lady’ and I'm really into it! I make sure the children know what to do safely and make sure the other staff stick to our rules also – no helmet, no Play on Pedals. The parents have been really impressed with how much confidence the children have gained in such a short space of time."

I was really excited to start the programme in my nursery – now everyone calls me the ‘Bike Lady’ and I'm really into it!

Senga Laurie, Play on Pedals Instructor

“I have recently attended the maintenance training and can’t believe some of the stuff I managed to do – and now I have completed the Instructor Trainer course as well," Senga said.

“My biggest achievement personally has been using Play on Pedals to teach my five-year-old daughter to go on a bike. She was terrified of falling off but all through the summer I was suggesting we take her stabilisers off. She didn’t want to at first but we bought her a bigger bike and took the stabilisers off – she started screaming but I was holding on to her saying ‘It’s OK, I’m balancing you.’

“I was nervous because I’ve never been a cyclist myself but after 20 minutes of going up and down the path she was away on her own – and within an hour she was pedalling independently. I’m so proud of her... and myself!”