With less than a year to go until the biggest ever cycling event comes to Scotland, sportscotland has today announced another six projects are to receive investment from the £8million Cycling Facilities Fund.
The Cycling Facilities Fund aims to support cycling facility projects and welcomes proposals from across the Scotland. It is made possible through a £4 million commitment from Scottish Government and £4 million from sportscotland through National Lottery funds and is supported by Scottish Cycling.
A diverse range of community projects from mountain biking in the Highlands to a pump track in the Scottish Borders will share £648,400 to make their dreams a reality.
Minister for Public Health and Sport Maree Todd said:
“I am delighted that this latest round of investments from the cycling facilities fund will continue to benefit communities across Scotland from the Highlands to the Scottish Borders.
“These will inspire more people to cycle which can make a real difference to the overall physical, mental and social health. Accessible and inclusive community facilities will encourage people of all ages to enjoy the sport.
“With less than a year to go to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships this investment is a crucial part of delivering a long-lasting legacy for the Championships and will be a game-changing opportunity for cycling in Scotland.”
As Scotland prepares to host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the ambition is for the Cycling Facilities Fund to provide accessible community and club facilities that inspire new and existing cyclists to make cycling a sport for life.
The projects supported by this latest round of investment are:
- New Banchory Cycling Hub, Aberdeenshire - £100,000
- New Hallhill Pump Track, East Lothian - £50,000
- Callendar Park Cycle Hub, Falkirk - £157,930
- The Laggan Forest Trust New MTB trail, Highland - £100,000
- Arran HS MTB Club New Cycling Hub, North Ayrshire - £190,470
- Stow Pump Track, Scottish Borders - £50,000
Interim Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:
“This is an important fund which has the potential to make a significant and long-lasting impact on sport and physical activity. By investing in accessible and inclusive community facilities in advance of the event, cycling in Scotland will be ready and able to harness the enthusiasm generated by hosting the Championships next year.
“The local groups and partners who have applied for funding have demonstrated a real commitment to improving the lives of their local communities and we are proud to support their ambitions.”
The national Cycling Facilities Fund was established to build on the growing interest in cycling by developing a network of accessible facilities to encourage people of all ages to ride bikes and enjoy the sport of cycling. It will also deliver a tangible benefit as part of the wider policy objectives driving the forthcoming 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, which will take place in Glasgow and Scotland.
Almost half of the £8million fund, which is open to clubs, education establishments, local authorities or leisure trusts, charitable organisations, community sport hubs and community organisations, has now been invested in 29 cycling projects across Scotland to meet the real demand for community facilities of this kind.
This significant investment in infrastructure is being delivered through a partnership between Scottish Cycling and sportscotland to ensure projects can have a lasting impact well beyond the Championships.
Nick Rennie, Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling added:
“I’m delighted we’re able to announce the latest recipients of the Cycling Facilities Fund, which is already starting to change the cycling landscape in Scotland, by developing purpose-built cycling facilities in the places that they are both needed and will be fully utilised.
“Scottish Cycling, with the support of partners such as sportscotland, is striving to ensure we have a network of progressive, accessible, inclusive and sustainable places to ride, for people from every corner of our cycling community.
"From MTB trails in the Highlands to a new pump track in the borders, this fund is going a long way to helping us achieve our ambitions.”
In August 2023, Glasgow and Scotland will host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. This historic and innovative event bring together 13 existing UCI World Championships into one mega event for the first time.
The Championships is more than just an event and will celebrate the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives, whether it’s physical and mental health benefits, easing congestion on the road to help the environment, or simply making it easier for people to get around. Underpinned by four key policy drivers - participation, transport, tourism and economy - the Championships will be a catalyst for behavioural change across Scotland moving forward.
Find out more
About the Cycling Facilities Fund
About how to get involved in cycling with Scottish Cycling
About the UCI Cycling World Championships 2023 - Glasgow and Scotland
