Ten pupils from Portobello High School’s Girls Gone Cycling initiative travelled to Paris at the invitation of the Scottish Government and Scottish Cycling to share their experiences at a special event hosted at the British Embassy, ahead of the 2027 Tour de France Route Announcement.
The group of girls spoke about how the programme has encouraged more pupils at their school to give cycling a go, helping make the sport accessible to those who might not otherwise have had the opportunity.
Their visit comes at an exciting time for cycling in Scotland as next summer Edinburgh will play host to the Tour de France Grand Départ for the first time in history, bringing one of the world’s biggest sporting events to the city. While the Tour will showcase the sport at its highest level, Girls Gone Cycling highlights the difference cycling can make in the lives of young people in their own communities.
Since launching in June 2026, Portobello High School’s Girls Gone Cycling initiative has grown to involve more than 70 pupils in just six months. The school provides bikes that girls can borrow and take home, so not having a bike of their own doesn’t become a barrier to being involved and taking part. Senior pupils are also at the heart of the programme, helping younger girls get started and leading activities. This approach has helped bring cycling to girls from a range of backgrounds, including those with additional support needs who may otherwise have found it harder to get involved.
For some of the pupils involved this has been their first chance to try cycling in a way that feels right for them. Having friends alongside them makes those first rides less daunting, while the older pupils are discovering how much they can do to encourage others. By giving girls the chance to try something new and supporting them as they find their feet, the programme is helping more pupils see cycling as something they can be part of.
The school’s work has also created opportunities beyond the school gates, with its partnership with Edinburgh Road Club (ERC) helping pupils take their next steps into club cycling. Building on the confidence and enthusiasm developed through the Girls Gone Cycling initiative, a group of girls attended ERC’s Youth Camp at Fife Cycle Park in August. The camp was funded through the Youth Opportunities Fund, part of sportscotland’s Summer of Sport and Tour de France Social Impact Programme with Scottish Cycling.
To help make the transition into club cycling as welcoming as possible, ERC’s coaches recognised that joining an established club for the first time can feel daunting and organised girls-only sessions. This gave the new riders the opportunity to build their confidence in a supportive environment before joining the wider group.
ERC’s support extended beyond the coaching sessions with club families and volunteers helping to organise transport for the girls and their bikes, making it possible for pupils to attend who might otherwise have struggled to get there. This support helped bridge the gap between school cycling and club membership.
The partnership is now set to develop further through Portobello High School’s S6 Cycle Ambassadors, who will work alongside ERC’s experienced coaches to develop their own leadership and mentoring skills while supporting younger riders in the school.
The girls’ visit to Paris is a fitting next step for a programme that is already making a difference at home. As Scotland prepares to welcome the Tour de France Grand Depart next year their story shows the impact that the legacy of a major sporting event can have on the local community.
Through Scottish Cycling’s Tour de France Social Impact Programme, the focus is on helping more people find a way into cycling and Girls Gone Cycling is a great example of what that can look like in practice.