The Scottish Government and sportscotland, in conjunction with Scottish Cycling, have today announced the first nine projects to receive investment from the £8 million Cycling Facilities Fund.
Projects from the Borders to the Highlands will share £1,554,633 to develop accessible, inclusive and inspiring facilities, which will be at the heart of our cycling communities.
With Scotland set 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.
There has been huge interest in the fund, which is open to clubs, education establishments, local authorities or leisure trusts, charitable organisations, community sport hubs and community organisations, demonstrating the real demand for community facilities of this kind. It has been made possible through a £4million commitment of capital funding from Scottish Government and £4million of National Lottery funding from sportscotland. This significant investment in infrastructure is being delivered through a partnership between Scottish Cycling and sportscotland, to ensure projects can have a lasting impact.
The projects supported by this first round of investment are:
Of the landmark moment, Sports Minister, Maree Todd, said:
“I am delighted to see this investment in community and club cycling projects across Scotland, which will hopefully encourage more people to take up cycling for the benefits to their physical, mental and social health. I want us to build on the enthusiasm for cycling this year and see even more people choosing to cycle for recreation and active travel.
“Scotland hosting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships gives us a great opportunity to use the power of the bike to help meet our transport, health and environmental aims, as well as supporting the events industry through its recovery.
“This funding will support that opportunity by developing accessible community facilities, helping with our ambitions to support participation across all groups, tackle inequalities, and help more people lead active lives. As part of Scotland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen thousands of people embrace the benefits of cycling, and I hope that the excitement generated as we build up to this major event will encourage even more people to get active on their bikes”.
Nick Rennie, Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that we’re able to unveil the first nine projects that have received support from the Cycling Facilities Fund – these are the first of many as we look to use the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships as a catalyst to get more people on bikes and involved in cycle sport across our cycling communities.
“Clubs are at the heart of everything we do, and they need accessible, fun and safe local facilities to operate from, so this is a welcome boost that will benefit the whole country, and help both current and new cyclists make the most of our wonderful sport.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, added:
“There is a whole new generation of cyclists who have been inspired by the athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Projects like the ones being funded today will give cyclists of all abilities the opportunity to participate and progress in the sport, emulating their heroes, or simply having fun.
“We have been impressed by the ambition and commitment of applicants to the fund and look forward to working with them to make their projects a reality. Delivering this network of accessible, community facilities across Scotland is reliant on partnership working and we are fortunate to have the continued support of a range of partners including the Scottish Government, Scottish Cycling, the National Lottery, and the National Lottery players.”
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.
In August 2023, Glasgow and Scotland will host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. This historic and innovative event will bring together 13 existing World Championship cycling disciplines 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.
Additional projects that are being supported through the Cycling Facilities Fund will be announced in the coming months.
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