Community cycling projects in North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Highland and the Scottish Borders are the latest to benefit from the Cycling Facilities Fund (CFF), which continues to make improvements to Scotland’s cycling infrastructure.
A new pump track and skate park in Irvine, a new pump track in Clarkston, a new mountain bike trail in Dingwall and a new cycling short track in Tweedbank will help improve participation in the four local authority areas while also giving a timely boost to cycling clubs.
The news comes just two years after Scotland hosted the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. The £8million 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.
The fund, administered by sportscotland and Scottish Cycling, has helped to provide accessible community and club facilities that inspire new and existing cyclists to make cycling a sport for life. It is delivering a tangible benefit as part of the wider policy objectives from hosting the historic event, when 13 existing World Championship cycling disciplines were brought together in one event for the first time. The investment has been made possible through a £4million commitment from Scottish Government and £4million from sportscotland through National Lottery funds.
The latest four projects to benefit will share a total of £373,334, allowing for a total investment of £913,881. That means 47 facilities have now been funded through the CFF, and when contributions from local partners to deliver the projects are factored in, over £18million has been invested in cycling infrastructure through the fund so far.
North Ayrshire Council have received £135,000 towards a new pump track and skate park at the beach park in Irvine. The project is part of a wider multi-million pound Great Harbour regeneration project. The skate park will host events and competitions, led by North Ayrshire Council,
The facility will be free to use and will give a wide range of children and young people to take part in cycling, skating and wheeling. Local schools will be able to use both facilities through Active Schools and they will also be available to local clubs.
A new cycling short track will be built at the Tweedbank Sports Complex in Galashiels and will provide a home for Border Raiders Cycle Speedway Club. The club have been awarded £121,618 for the project, which will prevent participants having to travel to the nearest cycling speedway track in Edinburgh and allow the club scope to grow their membership.
The club have plans in place to aid progression from a young age up to adult participation and on to a performance pathway. They have strong links with local schools and hope to engage more young people who might not be interested in more traditional sports, as well as host sessions for additional needs groups.
The Dingwall Mountain Bike Association have been awarded £16,716 for the creation of a 500m black grade mountain bike trail with black grade jumps as well as red grade rollable features. The trails at Knockbain, developed by the local community, continue to grow in popularity with over 150 users a week riding on them, the new black trail will provide experienced riders the opportunity to develop with a more challenging and technically difficult run.
East Renfrewshire Council have been awarded £100,000 towards a new floodlit 200m pump track which will be built between two football pitches at Overlee Park in Clarkston.
It will be the first floodlit community pump track in East Renfrewshire. The council will be offering training and various programmes through partnerships with Include Me 2 Bike Hub, Bikeability Scotland and Scottish Cycling. Young rider programmes will also be offered through partnership with Williamwood High and St Ninians High. There will also be strong links with Active Schools and work done to ensure underrepresented groups can use the track.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:
“We are delighted to see this investment in Scottish sport by the Scottish Government and National Lottery. Along with the investment from local partners, it will have a significant impact on communities the cycling facilities serve.
“Everyone involved in these four projects have demonstrated a real commitment to ensuring that more people will have an opportunity to become physically active and connected to their local community."
Scottish Cycling Chief Executive, Nick Rennie, added:
"The Cycling Facilities Fund continues to positively impact on people's lives, providing a place for communities to come together, and people to be physically active. Cycling is a sport for all, so I'm delighted that, along with sportscotland, we're able to keep investing in places to ride across the country, from pump tracks to mountain bike trails and everything in between - long may it continue."
East Renfrewshire Council Environment & Housing Convener Councillor Danny Devlin said:
"We're delighted to receive this funding for the proposed pump track in Overlee Park. It will create a fantastic new facility for local residents and young people and this award takes us one step closer to reaching our funding target."
Trevor Bryant of Border Raiders Cycle Speedway Club:
“A full-sized, shale cycle speedway track will enable the club to run more training sessions through the week, attracting more adults to the sport, which will in turn ensure the long-term future of the club and the sport.
“Having this new facility approximately halfway between the three tracks in the Scottish Central Belt and the tracks in Northumberland and the North of England is also welcome news to those northern clubs who are struggling to find competition without travelling long distances.”
Dave Wilby of Dingwall Mountain Bike Association:
“Our voluntary community group is delighted to receive this amazing contribution towards our goal of creating another top-class mountain bike trail. It will significantly improve the venue and allow for riders to progress their skills, encouraging more participation in an active, healthy outdoor lifestyle whilst building a community of riders.”
