SCHOOLCHILDREN showed off their pedal power at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome yesterday.

More than 800 kids from St Bernard's Primary enjoyed bicycle obstacle courses, slow races and fun activities.

The aim was to popularise track cycling and get them excited ahead of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, which will be held in Glasgow and across the country.

Glasgow Times: Children at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in GlasgowChildren at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow

Glasgow Times: Children at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in GlasgowChildren at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow

Glasgow Times: The children familiarised themselves with track cyclingThe children familiarised themselves with track cycling

Glasgow Times: Obstacle course and other activities took placeObstacle course and other activities took place

They also got to meet Scottish track cycling star Lusia Steele, from Paisley, who competed for Great Britain in the women’s team sprint at the Track Nations Cup on Thursday.

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She said: “It has been fantastic to be here at my home track competing for Great Britain in front of a Scottish crowd last night and hopefully gives me a taste of what is to come next year at the UCI Cycling World Championships which is the big target for me, after this year’s Commonwealth Games.

“It has also been really inspiring to come along and meet so many school pupils today as they see for themselves just how much fun it is to get on a bike and how varied cycling can be.

"It would be great if some of these kids go on to join cycling clubs and take up the sport like I have, but just getting out with friends or family and riding bikes together for fun and to get fit is also really cool.”

Glasgow Times: The children got bikes and helmets for the dayThe children got bikes and helmets for the day

Glasgow Times: They also met up-and-coming Scottish track cycling star, Lusia Steele from PaisleyThey also met up-and-coming Scottish track cycling star, Lusia Steele from Paisley

Glasgow Times: Lusia Steele Lusia Steele

Glasgow Times: The children enjoyed their day of activityThe children enjoyed their day of activity

Aisling Coyle, a teacher at St Bernard's, said: "I think the kids love anything active and doing things and just getting out of sitting at their desks all day.

"I think it's important for them to get these opportunities. In our area, some of them don't actually have their own bikes, so it's great that they are able to use these facilities."