Four community cycling projects are the latest to benefit from investment from the Cycling Facilities Fund (CFF) as improvements in Scotland’s cycling infrastructure continue.
A new pump track in Dundee, a new pump track and skills area redevelopment in Aberfoyle, a new mountain bike trail in Balloch Country Park and facility upgrades at Cathkin Braes Cycle Hub will give a boost to cycling participation and to cycling clubs in four local authority areas.
The news comes just over a year since 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 will also deliver 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 £480,722, allowing for a total investment of £954,903. That means 45 facilities have now been funded through the CFF, and when contributions from local partners to deliver the projects are factored in, over £13million has been invested in cycling infrastructure through the fund so far.
Dundee City Council will receive £100,000 towards a new pump track at the city’s East End Community Campus. In an area of high deprivation, the track will be free to use in the evenings and at weekends. It will provide opportunities for formal and informal cycling in the evening and at weekends. There is a planned programme for school children to use the track through Active Schools.
In Balloch Castle Country Park, a new 1km trail will be predominately blue grade (an intermediate trail) with optional features adding more technicality. West Dunbartonshire Council have been awarded £224,022 towards the trail which will be aimed at youth riders and families.
In Aberfoyle the upgrading of an existing skills area alongside a new pump track will provide an improved space for the local community and club to help youth and new riders develop their skills, £100,000 from the CFF will go towards the project.
Toilets and storage containers will be installed at Cathkin Brae Cycle Hub to support wider community access for sport and physical activity and allow greater use for coaching and youth participation, it will extend existing club use and Scottish Cycling programmes. The development will receive £56,750 from the CFF.
Sports Minister Maree Todd said:
“One year on from the 2023 UCI World Championships, communities across Scotland are continuing to benefit from the active legacy created by the Cycling Facilities Fund.
“Accessible facilities are vital to ensuring more people across Scotland are given the opportunity to experience the ‘power of the bike’ and enjoy the many benefits to their physical, social and mental wellbeing that come with cycling.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:
“The investment provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery to deliver the Cycling Facilities Fund has allowed us to harness the interest in cycling generated by the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and deliver a lasting benefit for the nation and the sport.
“By working with Scottish Cycling to shape the fund, we have been able to increase the opportunities for people to get involved in cycling right across the country. It’s hugely encouraging to see the number of groups who have grasped this opportunity to improve the lives of their local communities by investing in cycling facilities.
"From beginners' pump tracks to circuits and trails capable of hosting national competitions, it really has changed the cycling infrastructure in Scotland.”
Scottish Cycling Chief Executive, Nick Rennie, added:
“I am absolutely delighted to share the news that four more cycling communities will benefit from the Cycling Facilities Fund, as we continue to feel the benefits of last summer’s UCI Cycling World Championships.
“Safe, accessible, challenging facilities are essential if we are to get more people on bikes, enjoying our sport, so a big thank you to our funding partners who continue to help us develop a nation of cyclists. I also want to say a huge well done to all the people on the ground in Aberfoyle, Balloch, Dundee and Glasgow for helping bring these facilities to life – it wouldn’t happen without you.”
Find out more
About the Cycling Facilities Fund
information on the Cycling Facilities Fund is available on the sportscotland website
