£8m invested in bid to turn Scotland into one of Europe’s top cycling nations

An £8 million fund to improve cycling facilities across Scotland has been launched in a bid to capitalise on the upsurge of interest in the activity since lockdown.
An £8 million fund to improve cycling facilities across Scotland has been launched.An £8 million fund to improve cycling facilities across Scotland has been launched.
An £8 million fund to improve cycling facilities across Scotland has been launched.

Jointly funded by Scottish Government and sportscotland, the ultimate goal is to turn Scotland into one of Europe’s top cycling nations.

The purpose of the fund is to “develop a network of accessible, inclusive and inspiring facilities that encourage people of all ages to ride bikes”.

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The fund, which is open to clubs, schools, local authorities or leisure trusts, charitable organisations, community sport hubs and community organisations, has been made possible through £4m of capital funding from the Scottish Government and £4m of National Lottery funding from sportscotland.

This investment in infrastructure will be delivered over the next two years through a partnership between Scottish Cycling and sportscotland.

The initiative is also linked to the wider policy objectives around the forthcoming 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, which will take place in Glasgow and Scotland.

UCI is the world governing body of cycle racing.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The projects backed by this fund will inspire more people to get on their bikes, bringing benefits to people across Scotland as an enjoyable leisure activity and an efficient way to improve their health. We want to build on the incredible growth in cycling this year and see even more people choosing to travel to school or work on two wheels.

“Our overall aim is for Scotland to become one of Europe’s top cycling nations. The Scottish Government’s commitment to working with the UCI to host the first ever multi-world championships for cycling at one time in one country is a game-changing opportunity for cycling in Scotland.”

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.

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “Thanks to this new fund we have a unique opportunity to harness the growing interest in cycling and to promote health and wellbeing, taking a significant step towards our vision of an active Scotland where everyone sees sport as a way of life.”

Projects can bid for awards up to £100,000 for smaller ‘inspire’ projects and up to £500,000 for Club and Hub projects.

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