The decision to remove police from primary cycle training has been criticised in Perth.
As The Courier reported on Monday, Tayside Police have withdrawn services to young learners, with local councils, charities and volunteers stepping in.
The move has prompted concerns that a lack of trainers could see provision suffer, while vital links between youngsters and community police could be lost.
Councillor Willie Wilson represents the Perth City South ward, which contains several schools, and is a keen cyclist himself.
He said: “It is unfortunate that Tayside Police has unilaterally withdrawn from its cycling training. It is vital for public safety.
“I fully appreciate the need to save money, but this is another example of the SNP government’s centralisation agenda, through which police forces are being forced to make substantial savings.
“This can only be done by reducing the number of police officers or by substantially reducing the number of support staff. It would appear that the latter applies here.
“It could easily turn out to be a false economy. I appreciate that alternative arrangements are proposed but it would have been sensible to have discussions about this in advance of any changes.”
Parents also joined the backlash.
One father, who asked not to be named, said: “From a road safety point of view, parents want to see their children taught by the experts and children will pay more attention to authority figures like the police.
“We’re told that will still happen, but there have been appeals for volunteers what happens if they fall flat?”
Another said: “Police shouldn’t be cancelling bike training for pupils to cut costs. God help them if a kid gets killed as a result. Once again, it’s the tax payers getting stuffed.”
Tayside Police defended the move, introduced in Perth and Kinross this term and in Angus before the summer break.
A spokesman said: “The provision of cycle training is now being co-ordinated by Perth and Kinross Council education and children’s services via the Staff Schedule of Opportunities available to school staff in this council area.
“This staff training is also being supplemented with training courses being made available to school staff, parents and other volunteers through the Sustrans IBike officer and Highland Perthshire Cycling.
“IBike officers are established to encourage children to continue cycling as they progress from primary to secondary schools.
“Highland Perthshire is a voluntary cycling group promoting cycling in the Highland Perthshire area. The direct involvement of Tayside Police road safety personnel has evolved over the years.
“Through engaging with our partners in the community and with the excellent support provided by them, the active role of Tayside Police has been revised from originally undertaking all aspects of cycle training to devolving these responsibilities to other suitably-trained staff, parents and volunteers in the local area.
“The level of training provided to these persons is to a national standard prescribed by Cycling Scotland and this serves to ensure that a high standard of child cycle training continues to be provided within primary schools in the Perth and Kinross area.”
A spokesman for the local authority said: “Perth and Kinross Council has plans in place to deliver cycle training in primary schools.”