UCI Cycling World Championships boosted Scottish economy by £205m – consultants EY

The UCI Cycling World Championships in August attracted nearly one million spectators and created more than 5,000 jobs

Scotland hosting the world’s largest-ever cycling championships last year generated more than £200 million for the country’s economy and attracted nearly one million spectators, according to an independent evaluation of the event.

The 11-day UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Cycling World Championships in August featured more than 7,000 riders from 131 countries watched by a TV audience of 537 million.

Consultants EY, the former Ernst & Young, said it generated £205m of economic activity and created the equivalent of 5,285 jobs in Scotland, more than half of both in Glasgow where the championships were concentrated.

Spectators lining the route of the UCI Cycling World Championships' women's elite road race as winner Lotte Kopecky of Belgium crosses the finish line in Glasgow city centre. (Photo by Will Matthews/PA)

One third of spectators came from outside Scotland and nearly 90,000 from outside the UK.

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The assessment found 79 per cent of Scottish residents questioned said they intended to cycle more because of the event.

However, the championships sparked controversy in the arts sector after it went £8m over budget on top of £36m of Scottish Government funding at a time when Creative Scotland faced a £4m budget cut.

EY UK chief economist Peter Arnold said: “The championships successfully delivered social benefits for local residents as well as driving significant economic impact."

UCI president David Lappartient said "the championships were an unprecedented success at every level” which he said would lead to “long-term benefits for Scotland”.

Paul Bush, chair of the 2023 championships, said: “Scotland’s reputation as the perfect stage for events is recognised nationally and internationally, and its enviable global reputation as a major events powerhouse was further reinforced.”

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Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs for campaigners Cycling UK, said: “The championships was tremendous for raising the profile of cycling and it’s positive that a majority of Scots who watched the events said they intended to cycle more in the future.

"This doesn’t surprise us, as we know that many people want to cycle and unlock the associated health, financial and environmental benefits.

"However, to cement this desire into lasting habits, councils must provide continued investment in safe cycle routes and projects that enable people to ride and do so with confidence.

"The true legacy of last summer's cycling extravaganza will be when more people choose to ride a bike for local journeys rather than jumping in their car.”