More Scottish children can cycle to school thanks to better training and facilities but councils and the government are still a long way from getting everyone on their bikes.

A new study looking at cycling provision across Scotland found that improvements have been made nationwide with the majority of councils now working well to improve facilities, school training and public awareness.

However, overall Scotland is still lagging far behind the rest of Europe with cycling accounting for only 1% of transport use, compared with up to 30% in some countries.

And while councils have made significant progress in encouraging pupils to arrive at school by bicycle instead of car, almost one-in-three local authorities still does not provide any on-road cycle safety training.

The Cycling Scotland study also highlighted a lasting tendency to view cycling strategy as an "add-on" concept and noted a lack of political will to push towards restricting people's use of their cars.

Announcing the findings, which follows a far more critical assessment in 2005, Cycling Scotland said yesterday it highlighted the need for the forthcoming national cycling action plan - and more funding.

Erl Wilkie, chief executive of Cycling Scotland, said: "The assessment shows local authorities have made significant improvements in key areas such as travel planning and tackling the school run.

"However, there is still work to do in addressing some of the barriers that remain, and I look forward to working with local authorities, particularly on the cycling action plan."

The report authors noted: "Approximately 1% of all transport funding in Scotland is spent on cycling. Typically around 3% of total transport funding at a local level is spent on cycling.

"If Scotland wishes to increase cycle use, this funding picture has to improve."

Cycling Scotland is working with the Scottish Government on the new national cycling plan, due in 2009, to promote the benefits of cycling as an everyday transport option in terms of health, economy and the environment.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson praised the advances yesterday as he visited Denny Primary School in Falkirk, where pupils are given on-road cycle training through a programme which is being rolled out to other primary schools across the area.

But he admitted there was still a long way to go to catch up with the rest of Europe.

He said: "I'm very pleased to see that overall we are improving cycling provision across Scotland.

"However, with a current modal share for cycling of just 1% we clearly have much more to do if we are to emulate our European neighbours who enjoy between 10% and 30% modal share for cycling."

The evaluation was the second National Assessment of Cycling Provision in Scotland.

The initial study in 2005 found wide differences between councils - with some failing to provide adequate facilities for cyclists despite record levels of funding for cycling projects.