Sports 16 November 2022

SportScotland Funding For Callendar Park Cycle Hub

With less than a year to go until the biggest ever cycling event comes to Scotland, sportscotland has announced another six projects are to receive investment from the £8million Cycling Facilities Fund, including one in Callendar Park, Falkirk.

Falkirk Council has been awarded £157,930 of investment to develop new cycling trails offering a range of free and inclusive cycling opportunities to practice and develop riding skills.

With huge demand for cycling in the local area, the new facility will help to meet that demand and priority will be given to young people from disadvantaged areas, people with a disability and junior riders. Falkirk Council, working with Falkirk Junior Bike Club also have plans to further develop cycling in the local area with coaching programmes, volunteer development, bike recycling schemes and even access to free bikes.

With good links to Active Schools, the Junior Club and Scottish Cycling, the new cycle hub has the potential to really develop of cycling in the local area by providing a pathway from an introduction to the sport to developing as a performance athlete.

As Scotland prepares 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.

The Fund is made possible through a £4 million commitment from Scottish Government and £4 million from sportscotland through National Lottery funds and is supported by Scottish Cycling.

Minister for Public Health and Sport Maree Todd said:
“I am delighted that this latest round of investments from the cycling facilities fund will continue to benefit communities across Scotland from the Highlands to the Scottish Borders.

“These will inspire more people to cycle which can make a real difference to the overall physical, mental, and social health. Accessible and inclusive community facilities will encourage people of all ages to enjoy the sport.
“This investment is a crucial part of delivering a long-lasting legacy for the Championships and will be a game-changing opportunity for cycling in Scotland.”

Cllr Laura Murtagh, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Education and Leisure said:

“The new cycling facilities for Callendar Park aims to build on the big cycling community we already have across the Falkirk area. This will offer a new adventure for both beginners and more experienced riders and this funding package will help us develop something that will be enjoyed by everyone.”

Interim Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:
“This is an important fund which has the potential to make a significant and long-lasting impact on sport and physical activity. By investing in accessible and inclusive community facilities in advance of the event, cycling in Scotland will be ready and able to harness the enthusiasm generated by hosting the Championships next year.

“The local groups and partners like Falkirk Council who have applied for funding have demonstrated a real commitment to improving the lives of their local communities and we are proud to support their ambitions.”
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.

Almost half of the £8million fund, which is open to clubs, education establishments, local authorities or leisure trusts, charitable organisations, community sport hubs and community organisations, has now been invested in 29 cycling projects across Scotland to meet the real demand for community facilities of this kind.

This significant investment in infrastructure is being delivered through a partnership between Scottish Cycling and sportscotland to ensure projects can have a lasting impact well beyond the Championships.

Nick Rennie, Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling added:
“I’m delighted we’re able to announce the latest recipients of the Cycling Facilities Fund, which is already starting to change the cycling landscape in Scotland, by developing purpose-built cycling facilities in the places that they are both needed and will be fully utilised.

“Scottish Cycling, with the support of partners such as sportscotland, is striving to ensure we have a network of progressive, accessible, inclusive, and sustainable places to ride, for people from every corner of our cycling community. From MTB trails in the Highlands to a new pump track in the borders, this fund is going a long way to helping us achieve our ambitions.”

In August 2023, Glasgow and Scotland will host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. This historic and innovative event bring together 13 existing UCI World Championships 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.