"Reducing the number of cars on the school run will mean less congestion and pollution. It will also bring health benefits as a result of increased levels of physical activity."

The minister is a keen cyclist

The funding, which is a windfall from the Budget, would help the Scottish Executive to meet its target of halving child deaths and serious injuries on roads by 2010, she added.

A breakdown of allocations by local authority will be announced shortly.

Ministers say they are convinced of the health and environmental benefits of cycling.

Ms Boyack is determined to tackle the notion of the "school run".

Schools who have already come up with cycling schemes say they are struggling because of a lack of cash.

Only this week, Portobello High School in Edinburgh reported that, despite a prize winning project and political encouragement, it is still short of the �5,000 needed to create secure bike sheds.