Scotland’s cycling infrastructure to receive £500k worth of investment

Dundee and Aberfoyle will both get a new pump track, while the latter will get a skills area redevelopment. A new mountain bike trail will go into Balloch Country Park while there will be facility upgrades at Cathkin Braes Cyle Hub.  

The news comes just over a year since Scotland hosted the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, with the £8 million Cycling Facilities Fund established to build on the growing interest in the sport.

The fund is administered by sportscotland and Scottish Cycling and is used to encourage people of all ages to ride bikes and enjoy the sport.

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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.”

The fund is used to deliver the policy objectives from hosting the historic event when 13 existing World Championship cycling disciplines were brought together in one event for the first time.

There has also been £4 million committed by the Scottish Government and the same from sportscotland through National Lottery funds.

The latest project will share a total of £480,722, taking the total investment up to £954,903 for a total of 45 facilities funded through 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.”

The facility in Dundee will see £100,000 put towards a new pump track at the city’s East End Community Campus, which is an area of high deprivation. It will be free to use in the evening and at weekends with a planned programme for school children to use it.

West Dunbartonshire Council have been awarded £224,022 towards an intermediate trail which will be aimed at youth riders and families.

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.”