cycling scotland newsletter autumn 2010
TRANSCRIPT
CYCLING SCOTLAND NEWS
1
Scottish cycling star Mark Beaumont got on his bike on 9th July to encourage families to take part in Scotland’s biggest bike ride, freshnlo Pedal for Scotland.
Taking place on Sunday 12th of
September, freshnlo Pedal for Scotland
will introduce two new rides this year to
ensure cyclists of all ages and abilities
can take part. Cycling Scotland organises
the ride to encourage people to use their
bikes more often by showing that if you
can cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh in a
matter of hours, then short trips of 5 miles
or less could easily be done on a bike.
Riders can now choose between the
51 Mile Challenge Ride, the 100 Mile
Sportive Ride and the Family Ride,
which is a completely traffi c free ride
based in Glasgow Green.
ISSUE 12 SUMMER 2010
Mark Beaumont gets families geared up for freshnlo Pedal for Scotland
continue on page 3 >
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freshnlo Pedal for Scotland (Cont.)Mark Beaumont will be starting the event
this year, and will be riding a special lap
of the Family Ride to give participants
the chance to ride alongside the record
breaking cyclist who shot to fame after
becoming the fastest person to cycle
around the world.
Mark expressed his enthusiasm for helping
to encourage more people to cycle, saying:
“The freshnlo Pedal for Scotland bike ride
is a great event. It’s fantastic that Cycling
Scotland have revamped the event to
now incorporate the three different rides,
allowing people of all abilities and ages to
take part.
The Family Ride is a leisurely day out for
children and their parents. It’s the perfect
way to introduce children to cycling,
allowing them to practice their skills in a
safe environment. Not only will children
enjoy getting on their bikes on the day
but there is a host of entertainment for
everyone to enjoy at the event”.
The Family Ride will provide a great day
out for parents with young children or
those new to cycling. The ride is free to
enter, and in addition to the joys of traffi c
free cycling there are loads of other great
reasons to come along including:
>> Live music by The Singing Kettle and
other performances
>> 7Stanes perform their bike stunt show
>> Ride with BBC1’s The Man Who Cycled
the World Mark Beaumont
>> Free goody bag
>> Free medal
>> Free certifi cate
>> Free cycle computer
>> Cycle skills course
>> Face painting, juggling, uni-cycling and
other fun activities
>> Stabilisers Off!
Free sessions with qualifi ed trainers
for youngsters who want to ditch their
stabilisers.
To register for any of the freshnlo Pedal for
Scotland rides visit: www.pedalforscotland.org
Cycling Scotland Annual Conference to partner with Cycle Nation in Edinburgh
Cycling Scotland’s annual conference will return this year on 5th November, and will form part of a 2 day conference with Spokes and CTC, as part of the UK-wide series of Cycle Nation Conferences.
The conference will bring together active
travel professionals, campaigners, volunteers
and politicians to learn from each other and
gain a deeper understanding about how best
to develop and promote cycling in Scotland
and the benefi ts that cycling can bring.
Friday 5th of November will feature a day
for professionals at the City Chambers in
Edinburgh, and on Saturday 6th November
there will be a conference aimed at cycle
campaigners.
Ian Maxwell of Spokes, welcomed the
opportunity to work in partnership on the
conference, commenting:
“Campaigning ideas have no boundaries,
and this gathering of cycle professionals
and activists in Edinburgh will be a great
chance to swap examples of what works.
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Cycling Scotland’s brand new cycling profi ciency scheme for mountain bikers was successfully launched on 5th and 6th of June at the Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup.
As the World Cup attracts the best mountain
bikers in the world to Scotland each year,
it provided an excellent platform to launch
the new training scheme designed to give
people the skills and confi dence they
need to get the most out of the country’s
fantastic mountain bike tracks and trails.
Taster sessions for the course ran all
weekend at the Developing Mountain Biking
in Scotland expo, giving the hordes of
mountain bike fans that fl ocked to the Nevis
Range the chance to get a feel for what Go
Mountain Bike can offer.
The 5-level training course is designed to
help riders develop their riding skills so they
can cope with challenging and technical
terrain, showing them how to cycle
confi dently up and down steep terrain on
dirt tracks and negotiate obstacles.
It also helps riders develop their personal
skills such as planning and navigating
journeys, as well as bike maintenance so
bikers can perform trailside repairs. The
course also includes a section on sharing
the countryside responsibly with other
users, so that mountain bikers, walkers
and horse riders can share outdoor
spaces harmoniously.
The Go Mountain Bike Skills course
attracted around 240 kids and others who
were inspired by the mountain biking elite,
with each receiving a certifi cate.
The course was developed by Cycling
Scotland’s Jim Riach, a founder member
of the Scottish Mountain Bike Leaders
Association (SMBLA) and written by
SMBLA committee member Brian Salvona,
and the Scottish National Downhill
Mountain Bike Coach Chris Ball.
There are now 40 accredited centres
across Scotland with instructors who are
trained to deliver the scheme. Successful
pilots of Go Mountain Bike have taken
place in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Golspie,
Laggan and Strathclyde Park and the
scheme is now available across Scotland.
Cycling Scotland Chief Executive Ian Aitken
commented on the launch, saying:
“Cycling Scotland is really pleased to be able to launch Go Mountain Bike here at the World Cup. There are so many
mountain bike fans here, so it’s great to be able to offer a scheme that can help people move from spectating to participating in an activity which has massive benefi ts in terms of increasing levels of physical activity and contributing towards the growth of an industry which brings in £119 million pounds to the Scottish economy each year.”
The Go Mountain Bike launch was well
received by the media and received coverage
from STV and the Press and Journal.
They are also a really good example of
how the various national organisations
can work together, bringing together CTC,
Cyclenation, Cycling Scotland and Sustrans
to focus on the challenges ahead”.
The professionals’ conference on 5th
November will present a series of informative
and inspiring plenary speakers from a wide
range of different roles within the world of
cycling. Speakers include Marshal Poulton,
Head of Transport for City of Edinburgh
Council, David Middleton, Chief Executive
of Transport Scotland and Phillip Darnton
OBE, Chair of Cycling England.
This year’s conference will be based around 3 main themes:
CYCLING STRATEGY AND POLICY
This session will focus on the latest
developments in local and national cycling
strategy and policy, the implications of
the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland and
implementation of the guidance in Cycling
by Design.
CYCLING EVENTS
This session will look at the economic impact
of major cycling events at a local, regional
and national level as well as the role they
can play in increasing public awareness and
increasing participation rates of cycling.
ACTIVE LIVING AND CYCLING
This session will look closely at the role that
interventions in the workplace, schools and
communities can play in helping increase
rates of cycling. The wider benefi ts that
cycling can bring to settings will also be
discussed in this session.
To register for email updates about the conference
head to: www.cyclingscotlandconference.org
where places for the conference will go on sale at
the end of August.
Go Mountain Bike launched at Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup
Cycling Scotland’s Alasdair Marshall administers a Go Mountain bike taster session.
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Cycling Action Plan for Scotland published along with new fundingA new government plan to make Scotland a nation of cyclists was unveiled during Bike Week this summer. The Scottish Government published the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) on the 25th of June, laying out its plans to get more Scots on their bikes and leaving the car at home.
The plan sets out a number of actions
for stakeholders and local authorities in
Scotland to carry out and it is supported by
new funding for projects covering new cycle
infrastructure, children’s cycle training and
grants for employers to improve facilities for
those cycling to work.
CAPS was launched by Transport,
Infrastructure and Climate Change Minister
Stewart Stevenson MSP while opening a
newly completed section of the National Cycle
Network between Kincardine and Culross in
Fife. Stevenson commented: “Scotland has the
toughest climate change legislation anywhere
in the world and as our climate change delivery
plan made clear we need to decarbonise
almost all road transport by 2050.
This means persuading more motorists to get
out of their cars and getting more people to
cycle – that’s why we have set the challenging
target for 2020 that 10% of all journeys taken
in Scotland be made by bike.”
NEW PROJECTS AND FUNDING
£3.9 million of new funding for cycling initiatives
was announced by the Scottish Government
alongside the publication of CAPS.
INFRASTRUCTURE
£2.5 million of investment will be made in
cycling infrastructure. The money will be
administered by Sustrans for improvements to
the National Cycle Network in Scotland, with
an emphasis on connecting existing sections
of the network and providing short links to
create more joined-up cycleways. £500,000
will also go to Glasgow City Council for its
Connect2 project, which on completion will
allow cyclists to travel between the city centre,
the Clyde riverside promenade, Kelvingrove
Park and the West End on traffi c free routes.
GRANT SCHEMES
£150,000 will be allocated to a loan support
scheme to help private businesses improve
workplace cycling facilities. The fund is
intended to support Cycling Scotland’s Cycle
Friendly Employer scheme, and will be run in
partnership with the Energy Saving Trust.
Businesses will be able to apply for an
interest free loan to upgrade workplace
facilities such as bike parking, lockers or
showers so that they are able to meet the
Cycle Friendly Employer criteria. This will be
run in tandem with the existing small grants
scheme for Cycle Friendly Employer that
is run in conjunction with Healthy Working
Lives, which allows organisations to apply for
grants for promotion and incentive measures.
Both of these funding sources will be open
for applications from Autumn 2010 - check
out www.cyclingscotland.org for application
forms and funding criteria later this year.
CYCLE TRAINING
£300,000 will be invested in children’s
cycle training. Cycling Scotland will take a
coordinating role for the national delivery
of all three levels of cycle training, and
will work with Road Safety Scotland, the
Scottish Government and key stakeholders
to establish a new Cycle Training Standards
and Delivery Support Group. This new group
will formulate a plan by the end of 2010 to
deliver a coordinated approach to training, an
increase in the number of volunteers available
to deliver training and a support network for
the volunteers and Local Authorities offering
the three levels of training.
Mairi Blair, assistant director of Road Safety
Scotland, welcomed the development,
commenting: “Road Safety Scotland fully
endorses and supports the establishment
of a Cycle Training Standards and Delivery
Support Group in Scotland.
A stronger focus on a more co-ordinated
approach to child cycle training in Scotland
is necessary in order to provide the level of
support needed by local delivery partners in
the provision of good quality training delivered
by well-supported and trained volunteers.
As a key stakeholder, RSS will ensure the
Group’s commitment to maintaining road
safety priorities and links to Curriculum for
Excellence across the cycle training levels.”
To download and read the full Cycling Action
Plan for Scotland, go to www.scotland.gov.uk
Children’s Cycle Training receives new funding as part of CAPS.
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During the winter months the number of cyclists on the streets drops sharply, but Cycling Scotland’s Education and Training Offi cer Chris Johnson explains why he thinks cycling to work is worth sticking with even during the Scottish winter…
There are several key benefi ts attributed to
cycle commuting - health, environment, cost
and fun. As I sit contemplating this on a fi ne
summer’s day (albeit a wet one), it’s simply a
matter of putting these in order.
Initially coming to cycling via the sport route it
is clear that fun was my priority. By now with
an offi ce based desk job and a well developed
appreciation of cakes I’m probably most
driven by the health angle (that cyclists enjoy
bodies that are 10yrs younger also appeals
to my vanity). Cost is always a nice thought,
but I still pay for the pleasure of owning a car.
Environment is a useful ally as carbon counting
is what motivates my previously bike-phobic
partner, but it doesn’t directly make me feel
smug.
So, all good. But come winter time with its
dark streets, the penetrating cold and slimy
drizzle it can be harder to stay focused on
these benefi ts.
Luckily, I fi nd there is additional benefi t so great it dwarfs them all: practicality.
Cycle commuting in built up areas is generally
by far the quickest, easiest and most satisfying
way of getting around town. I’ve tried leaving
the offi ce at 5pm in December, shivering
at the bus stop while passing taxis spray
water all over the pavements and it was a bit
miserable. The 44 bus, covering a journey of
just three and a half miles takes an astonishing
forty minutes, and going from shivering on
the streets to collectively sweating under all
my layers in a dour huddle didn’t increase my
enjoyment much either.
I have given the driving thing a go too. Other
people make it look so appealing: you chill
out, listen to the radio, relax in your own
space, glide along the city streets, but even
slower than the 44 bus! Arriving home forty
minutes late with dinner spoilt by raised stress
levels is more the reality, and getting out of
bed 20minutes early to defrost the windows
is never fun.
Conversely, riding a bike is quick, direct, and a great way to remove the stress of the day.
Being active means you barely feel the cold,
and it’s cheap and easy to equip yourself with
the right accessories. Keeping warm and
being seen are the key elements. I attach a
quality set of lights to my winter bike, which
also has a set of full length mudguards. My
local bike store stocked a good range and
gave me quality advice based on my (thrifty)
budget.
I am also immensely proud of my yet-to-be-
patented ‘disco helmet’. When I noticed my
local supermarket was selling emergency
fl ashing LEDs at value prices I snapped them
up and strapped them to my helmet. These
have two purposes, as a back up should my
main lights fail, but also the front light allows
me to make eye contact with drivers and
ensure my safe passage. A yellow vest over
my regular jacket completes the effect, and
folds away easily to take up no room.
Choosing clothing has never been a problem
either. On a bike your hands get cold, your
feet get cold, and your head/neck can be
cold. Otherwise, as long as you are moving
you are generating warmth and there is no
reason why your regular winter clothes aren’t
enough. It’s easy to pick up a pair of fl eecy
builders glovers, some waterproof overshoes
/ thick socks, and a cyclists buff which can
be worn around the neck, or under a helmet.
If it is raining then waterproof trousers are a
handy accessory.
I am fortunate enough to have a designated
‘winter bike’ so maintenance is easy – I give
it a service in October, then just throw soapy
water over it occasionally and keep the
transmission lubricated, and before I know it
spring is here and after a proper clean it can
hibernate through summer again.
Frosty roads can require a bit of extra caution,
and it is often worthwhile using different
roads if you know your regular route will not
have been treated. Most of Scotland’s big
cities now have excellent maps showing
various cycle routes and roads, so fi nding an
alternative isn’t too tricky.
There is no reason why winter should be a time to hang up your wheels, all the benefi ts are still there, and as you speed home after a long day, arriving fresh and relaxed, you can pity those stuck in traffi c.
Why I keep on cycling during the winter… by Chris Johnson
Cycling Scotland’s Chris Johnson on his commute to work.
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Scottish Gas in Edinburgh has become
the biggest private sector workplace
to achieve the Cycle Friendly Employer
Award to date. This is a fantastic
award for the organisation which has
demonstrated a clear commitment to
encouraging more staff to cycle to work.
The 750 employees at the site, which
hosts the organisation’s headquarters and
a customer contact centre, benefi t from
improved, secure cycle storage facilities,
ample shower and changing provisions, as
well as a host of incentives and promotional
activity to support their commute to work.
Scottish Gas has collaborated with “A Better
Way to Work”, a project run by the Bike
Station to promote cycling, as well as walking
and public transport, as a convenient means
of commuting to and from work.
The Bike Station has run Dr Bike sessions
on site, to help employees get their bikes in
good working order. The service was well-
used by regular cyclists and also encouraged
many people to dig their bikes out of the
shed and cycle in to work especially for the
Dr Bike sessions. By giving their unused
bikes a new lease of life it is hoped this will
encourage staff to cycle to work more often.
A Better Way to Work staff were also on
hand to encourage employees to try out the
demonstration bikes that they brought along
to remind people how much fun cycling can
be - one Scottish Gas employee got on a bike
for the fi rst time in 26 years. Employees can
also benefi t from free cycle training, the free
loan bike service, as well as other incentives
to make an active journey to work.
Wendy Graham, Travel Choice Advisor with
A Better Way to Work said “We are delighted
to have had the opportunity to work with
Scottish Gas. The enthusiasm shown by the
organisation and their employees has been
tremendous”.
Kevin Roxburgh, Managing Director of
Scottish Gas said: “The health and wellbeing
of our employees is high on the agenda at
Scottish Gas, so to be recognised as the
largest private sector workplace to receive
the Cycle Friendly Employer Award is a
signifi cant achievement for us.
“We are constantly looking for ways to
encourage staff to adopt a healthier lifestyle,
from free bike repairs to Zumba classes,
as part of our commitment to the Healthy
Working Lives programme.”
Scottish Gas not only promotes the benefi ts
of cycling to staff members; through
their Generation Green programme the
organisation has demonstrated its social
responsibility credentials by encouraging
Scottish schools and communities to
recognise the benefi ts of cycling as part of
an overall approach to green living.
Generation Green makes sustainability fun
and engages children about environmental
issues. Schools register with the programme
online at www.generationgreen.co.uk and
earn green leaves through completing green
tasks, such as setting up a green notice
board, or conducting an energy saving
survey. These leaves can then be redeemed
for educational rewards from birdboxes to
bicycles and equipment. Since its launch in
May 2009, Scottish primary schools working
towards Cycle Friendly School Awards have
already benefi ted greatly from the Generation
Green programme, which shares many of
the messages around the benefi ts of healthy
and sustainable living.
Cycling Scotland is greatly impressed
with the ongoing work at Scottish Gas to
establish cycling as a mainstream travel
choice that can deliver great benefi ts not just
to the employer, but also the employee and
wider community.
Cycling Scotland’s Chief Executive, Ian
Aitken applauded Scottish Gas for taking
the initiative.
Organisations and schools can register
online for Cycle Friendly Awards at www.
cyclingscotland.org.
L-R: Livia Dyckhoff, Training Coordinator at Scottish Gas; Kevin Whitehead from Dr Bike and John Young, Health & Safety Co-ordinator at Scottish Gas.
Scottish Gas awarded for commitment to cycling
European Mobility Week is an awareness raising campaign aiming at promoting the use of public transport, cycling and walking and encouraging European cities to promote these modes of transport and to invest in new infrastructure.
Activity will be taking place in cities all around Europe including here
in Scotland. Perth will be taking part by having a series of stalls in
the town centre promoting active and sustainable travel, as well as
Rickshaws transporting members of the public and a ‘in town without
my car day’. Glasgow also has activity planned - check the website
for more details.
European Mobility Week will take place from the 16 to the 22 September.
For more information visit www.mobilityweek.eu
European Mobility Week 16 - 22 September
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Developing Mountain Biking conference set for OctoberA new project set up to coordinate the development of Scotland’s burgeoning mountain biking industry will hold a conference this autumn to bring together all stakeholders in this diverse sector.
Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland is calling on professionals from the
tourism, outdoor access and sports development sectors to attend their fi rst
annual conference on October 28th. The event will be held at the Perth Concert
Hall and will focus on identifying ways to capitalise upon the considerable
success of mountain biking as an activity in Scotland. Mountain biking tourism
in Scotland brings £119million pounds per annum to the Scottish economy
according to a study commissioned by Scottish Enterprise. The sector employs
3470 full time staff and the 7stanes Mountain Bike Centres in the south of
Scotland generate £9million to the Scottish economy and are visited by over
400,000 people each year.
The conference will feature a keynote speech from record breaking round-the-
world cyclist Mark Beaumont, alongside presentations from a variety of experts
involved in all aspects of mountain biking. Scottish Minister for Public Health and
Sport Shona Robison MSP will be opening the conference.
The conference is intended as a two-way exchange of information featuring
presentations from speakers whilst also capturing the opinions and ideas of the
delegates as to how the project should move forward over the coming years.
Delegates will get the opportunity to raise their questions to a select panel of
some of the most infl uential voices within mountain biking in Scotland. There will
also be workshops for all attendees based on the 3 key strands of the strategic
framework – increasing participation, sporting development & success and
tourism and economic development.
For regular updates and to pre-register for the conference, please visit www.developingmountainbikinginscotland.com
Bike Events Scotland is Scotland’s most
comprehensive cycling events calendar.
Developed by Cycling Scotland, CTC, Forestry
Commission Scotland, Sustrans and Visit
Scotland, the calendar diplays hundreds of
cycling events across Scotland of all kinds.
Here’s a selection of upcoming events from the calendar, with hundreds more online:
MOUNTAIN BIKING
10hr Mountain Bike Marathon
Based in the North East of Scotland this race is an endurance format with teams and individuals
competing to see who can complete the most laps in 10 hours.
OFF ROAD CYCLING
The ChaseA 30-40 mile off-road duathlon in the stunning Trossachs countryside combining two 12 mile cycling stages and a 6 to 10 mile
orienteering challenge on foot, plus free food, drink and entertainment at the medieval-style after event party.
FAMILY
Katrine Colours CycleEnjoy the autumn at Loch Katrine with the whole family. A 12 mile
cycle around Trossachs pier, cycle hire and boat trip included.
BEGINNER
Women Only CTC Ayrshire Ride12-15mile Women only CTC beginners ride starting at Fenwick
War Memorial.
GROUP RIDESpokes SundayThis monthly group ride takes you on a free guided bike ride along
cycle paths and quiet roads to destinations in The Lothians, Fife and The Borders.
AUG
2010
21
SEP
2010
25
OCT
2010
16
NOV
2010
6
DEC
2010
5
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This year’s Team Green Britain Bike Week took place from the 19th to the 27th of June and was a huge success in Scotland. Scottish participation numbers increased by 85% from last year, with 72,000 participants taking part in various events from beginner and family rides to long distance rides, competitions, bike to work days and bike breakfasts.
Other Bike Week opportunities included free
cycle safety checks and charity rides as well
as fairs and exhibitions in cities and towns
across Scotland. Events were organised by
individuals, companies, charities and other
organisations, and over 270 events across
Scotland were listed on the Bike Week
website. This year also saw various events
leading up to Bike Week, including smaller
rides and training sessions as well as bigger
events such as the Fort William Mountain
Bike Cup.
Cycling Scotland worked in partnership with
Bike Week HQ and Team Green Britain, and
headed up the PR campaign in Scotland, co-
organised the workshops in Glasgow and Perth
to help new event organisers plan their events,
arranged a national radio advertising campaign
for Scotland and attended events throughout
the week. Cycling Scotland teamed up with
the Clan Cycle Stunt Team to create a cycle
zone as part of the Royal Highland Show, with
thousands of visitors fl ocking to see the stunt
shows and have a go on a cycle skills course
over the fi nal four days of Bike Week.
Most successful Bike Week yet
Bike Club successfully launched in ScotlandBike Club, a program that offers support
and funding to enable cycling-based
learning experiences among children and
young people, was successfully launched
on the 30th of June in Glasgow City
Chambers by Dr. Harry Burns, Scotland’s
Chief Medical Offi cer.
Bike Club uses cycling to create opportunities
for learning and involvement among children,
young people and their families. Small
grants are available to youth clubs, young
people’s groups and schools seeking to
establish cycling-related activities within their
communities.
The programme was set up through
cooperation between community learning
and health experts ContinYou, UK Youth
and CTC, the national cyclists’ organisation.
Bike Club’s expansion to Scotland has been
made possible by funding from Asda’s Pedal
Power campaign. At the launch Dr. Burns
spoke to key decision-makes within youth
work, education, community development
and transport policy sectors, about the
public health challenges facing Scotland,
and identifying cycling as an ideal way
for children and young people to develop
healthy lifestyles.
Speaking at the launch event, he said:
“Cycling gives you the opportunity to develop
self-esteem. It seems to me that beginning
this project in Scotland will give the young
people the opportunity to build that self-
esteem. I am very happy to do this today and
support this.”
Scotland’s two Bike Club development offi cers
Victoria Leiper and Amy Hickman support Bike
Club applicants around Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Falkirk, Fife, East Lothian, Midlothian and
West Lothian. Bike Club’s immediate plans
include organising local networking events.
The fi rst community cycling event, which took
place in Kelvingrove Park on 28th July, was
attended by Formula 1 legend Nigel Mansell,
as a pit stop on his UK-wide charity ride for
UK Youth.
The event also featured the 7 Stanes stunt
display team, bike demos from FreeWheel
North, Dr Bike sessions and a North Shore
course from the Bike Station.
Cycling Scotland & The Clan attended the Royal Highland Show during Bike Week.
Nigel Mansell on his charity ride for UK Youth during Bike Week.West Lothian. Bike Club s immediate plans West Lothian. Bike Club’s immediate plans
gfor UK Youth during Bike Week.for UK Youth during Bike Week
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This year’s Skyride will be taking place on Sunday the 22nd of August in Glasgow.
The event route will take riders along the River Clyde and is hoping
to attract thousands of people to take the unique opportunity to take
their bikes for spin round the city centre without a car in sight.
The Skyride route will be transformed into a traffi c-free zone for the
day which will give cyclists the opportunity to enjoy the city on two
wheels with friends and family. Skyride is taking place across the UK
in 12 locations in 10 cities, and each event will also have bike-based
entertainment such as music, fancy dress and sporting challenges.
As part of Skyride a series of local rides have been organised by
British Cycling, Scottish Cycling and Glasgow Life.
The Skyride Local rides are small group cycle rides which will also be
taking place around the UK in the run up to and after the main Skyride
events in Scotland. These group rides vary in levels (beginners to
experienced riders) and are designed to encourage regular biking.
Skyride Local events are taking place all over Glasgow, with a variety
of routes and distances to suit any level of ability.
Campsie & City viewsRide : WellThis 19.4 mile route heads north
and uses a mixture of terrains -
along canal paths, a few roads and even an
old railway line.
Pollok Park RideRide : EasyAn easy, totally traffi c-free, out-
and-back riverside cruise from the
futuristic Science Centre in the west to the
People’s Palace at Glasgow Green.
Canals GaloreRide : SteadyOne for the water lover, this 10.6
mile ride showcases the historic
and picturesque canal network centred
around Kirkintilloch the “Canal Capital of
Scotland”.
River Clyde RideRide : EasyTotally traffi c-free, fl at riding and
tarmac paths make this leisurely
six-miler suitable for beginners and families
on all kinds of bike.
Visit to Campsie GlenRide : StrongUndulating route from Kelvingrove
Park, initially following the River
Kelvin then out through Maryhill and the
suburbs of Bearsden and Milngavie over the
moor to Strathblane.
East End ParksRide : SteadyA route linking up three of
Glasgow’s parks in the East,
starting from Glasgow Green, the route
heads on North East to one of the east ends
fi nest parks, Alexandra Park.
Four Corners of the ParkRide : StrongA ride through both rural and urban
parts of the city passing through
Ruchill Park, Springburn Park, Hogganfi eld
Park and Tollcross Park. A great opportunity
to see more of what Glasgow has to offer for
those who like an adventure.
Riverside RambleRide : WellThis 19mile ride uses the famous
Clyde as it’s focal point, following
the south bank west to Renfrew, before cross
the river at the Erskine Bridge and following
National Cycle Network Route 7 back along
the northern bank of the river.
AUG
2010
29
SEP
2010
26
OCT
2010
3
OCT
2010
10
OCT
2010
24
SEP
2010
5
SEP
2010
12
SEP
2010
19
Skyride returns to Glasgow
Check out the Skyride Local rides happening over the coming months.
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1010
The Tour de France started in Rotterdam this year, and it came as something of a culture shock to be at un Grand Départ de la Grande Boucle and to be surrounded by bikes.
I did mean to write that. I mean, yes, you
have the 200 riders who compete in the
Tour - and yes, they do so on bikes - but
they exist within the hermetically sealed
bubble of the Tour de France.
For those of us who work on the race - in
my case as a journalist - the experience
of the Grand Départ is invariably one
of negotiating horrendously traffi c-
clogged streets, banking on our media
accreditation - or the sticker that attests
to that on the windscreen - gaining us
access to the inner sanctum.
In other words, the prevailing experience of
covering, and indeed of being at the Tour
de France, can be one of being stuck in,
or surrounded by, petrol-guzzling cars and
other vehicles.
Ironic, isn’t it?
On this year’s Tour, the impression
was reinforced when, on one stage, I
was privileged enough to be offered a
helicopter ride. It was an opportunity I
couldn’t pass up - we’ve all seen the aerial
shots of the riders in full fl ight against
the backdrop of the beautiful French
countryside, or of the peloton splitting in
two as it negotiates a roundabout.
But the experience was a little
disappointing, for two reasons.
First, it didn’t offer a very good view
of the race - we were too high, way
above the French TV helicopters, who
(understandably enough) desire the best
vantage point. Second, from the air, the
Tour de France didn’t even look like a
bike race - it looked like a car race, with
hundreds of cars and motorbikes in front,
and hundreds more behind a tiny, just
about visible, pack of cyclists.
Back to Rotterdam, though. There, as in any
Dutch city, there were bikes everywhere,
and it was easy to see why. The facilities
for cyclists are remarkably good - roads
seem to be an after-thought to cycle lanes,
rather than the other way around. And at
junctions and roundabouts cyclists have
right of way over cars - a fact that, again
ironically, almost caught out several offi cial
Tour vehicles.
Visiting Rotterdam for the Grand Départ
was Paul Bush, the chief operating offi cer
of EventScotland. Bush also attended the
Grand Départ in London, when the Tour
started there in 2007, and it had given him
an idea: why not bid to bring the Tour to
Scotland?
Slowly, that idea has been worked upon,
with Bush meeting Christian Prudhomme,
the Tour director, and receiving a positive
response. It was Prudhomme, in fact,
who fi rst fl agged up the suggestion to
the media, mentioning Scotland’s interest
in hosting the Tour in the same breath as
the other countries he claims are bidding,
including Budapest, Qatar, Japan, Quebec
and Estonia.
The big question, of course, is, why
would you want to bring the Tour de
France to Scotland?
For many cities or countries that bid for the
Grand Départ, it seems to be primarily a
marketing and money-making exercise.
With a worldwide TV audience of two billion,
and with the country itself forming the
backdrop to the action, there can be few,
if any, more effective ways of showcasing
your country.
But when London bid for the 2007 start - a
prologue in London, then a fi rst road stage
to Canterbury - they did so under a different
premise, and one that initially struck the
Tour organisers as quirky and original.
Ken Livingstone, the then mayor, said that
he wanted the Tour to promote cycling. Not
cycling as a sport, but as a participation
activity, and means of transport, in the
city. “My vision for London is a city where
increasing levels of cycling will create a
more sustainable transport system and
improve the health of Londoners,” said
Livingstone when London’s successful
bid was confi rmed. “I am certain that the
Tour de France will inspire people to take
Would bringing the Tour de France to Scotland get more people cycling?
2101 Cycling Scotland Newsletter August_rev4.indd 102101 Cycling Scotland Newsletter August_rev4.indd 10 16/8/10 22:21:4516/8/10 22:21:45
11
up cycling to get around London or as a
leisure pursuit.”
The Tour de France responded by saying
that they had never heard that one before!
Indeed, I remember being in Strasbourg, for
the start of the 2006 race, and attending a
dinner at which the Tour organisers spoke
glowingly of London’s ambitions to use
their race to promote everyday bicycle
use - they seemed delighted by it. Why
other cities haven’t traditionally had similar
ambitions, I don’t know.
It could be because, in many European
towns and cities, cycling is already very
popular and culturally more acceptable
than in the UK. It could also be because
the Tour de France is woven so deeply into
the fabric of mainland Europe that it is seen
purely as a major sporting event, with no
real spin-offs (other than the marketing
opportunities afforded the places it visits).
But, whether by accident or design, you
could certainly argue that the Tour did
have a positive and lasting effect on
cycling in London.
Cycling as a means of transport has
increased exponentially, facilities are
improving, and the city’s fi rst mass bike-hire
scheme, based on Paris’s Vélib’ scheme,
has just been launched.
London wants the Tour back - and the
feeling is mutual, with Prudhomme, who,
three years on, continues to enthuse about
the “magical” London visit, promising that
it’s a question of “when,” not “if.” It has
been rumoured that a 2014 return is likely.
As for Scotland, Bush is aiming to bid
for a two- or three-day Grand Départ
some time between 2014 and 2020.
And, as with London, he seems determined
to make the bid as much about promoting
cycling as it will, inevitably, be a marketing
and money-making exercise.
“The Tour coming to Scotland would have
huge economic impact (its two days in the
south of England in 2007 generated an
estimated £123m) and phenomenal media
value,” said Bush in Rotterdam. “Being in
Holland, and seeing the number of people
on bikes, and the hundreds of thousands
watching for free, makes you also realise
how the Tour can be a fantastic way of
promoting cycling, health, fi tness and
sustainability.”
Very true. And if there is one lesson to take
from London, it is that the Tour organisers
might be initially surprised by, but very
receptive to, a proposal that places the
humble promotion of cycling and the bike
at its very heart.
A new website that will enable professionals to fi nd information and share good practice for the development of path and active travel networks is due to be launched this autumn.
The site is being developed by the Scottish
Access Technical Information Network
(SATIN), which is a consortium of active
travel organisations comprised of Cycling
Scotland, Paths for All, Sustrans, SNH,
Forestry Commission Scotland, Falkirk
Council and a wide range of regional and
local stakeholder groups.
Networks and routes are an essential factor
in getting more people to use active travel
modes such as walking and cycling more
often, and SATIN was formed to ensure
that good practice in the development of
these networks can be shared nationwide.
The website will offer comprehensive
guidance on the full delivery process,
with information on design guidelines,
funding streams, technical aspects
such as drainage, surfaces and signing,
construction techniques and maintenance
schedules to provide a ‘cradle to grave’
guide on delivering outdoor access and
active travel networks to the highest
standard.
The SATIN working group will meet in
Inverness for the 3rd project meeting of
2010 to discuss detailed content for the
website before the site is launched later
in the year. If you think your organisation
would benefi t from being involved in the
SATIN project, you can apply to become
a member organisation by emailing Peter
Leslie at [email protected]
New website for path and active travel network practitioners to be launched soon
2101 Cycling Scotland Newsletter August_rev4.indd 112101 Cycling Scotland Newsletter August_rev4.indd 11 16/8/10 22:21:4716/8/10 22:21:47
Noticeboard
12
Visit our website atwww.cyclingscotland.org
Cycling Scotland
24 Blythswood Square, Glasgow G2 4BGNewsletter written by Andrew Pankhurst and Janika Fuchs.
Contact
12
‘Give Me Cycle Space’
campaign - Match Funding
for 2011
Cycling Scotland is running the ‘Give Me
Cycle Space’ campaign again in 2011,
and is seeking local authorities interested
in match funding the activity in their area.
The highly successful social marketing
campaign aims to break down barriers
to cycling to school by using a mixture
of outdoor advertising to create ‘Cycle
Friendly Zones’ around schools, which
are designed to encourage drivers to give
children space and extra consideration so
they can cycle to school safely. Cycling
Scotland has delivered the campaign in
partnership with Glasgow, Edinburgh,
East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire,
North Lanarkshire, Moray, Orkney, East
Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire
and Fife councils in the last two years,
and is now accepting match funding
proposals from local authorities for
the 2011 campaign. Contact Andrew
Pankhurst on 0141 229 5354 or
to fi nd out more.
ing
New funding available for community cycling projectsCycling Scotland has new funding streams available to help community groups implement cycling projects in their local area.
Cycle Friendly Communities FundThe Cycle Friendly Communities Fund will be open for applications from August 2010, and is set up to fund projects that promote health gain, support the community, support individual development, promote cycling and demonstrate innovation. Grants of up to £5000 are available for individual projects. Check www.cyclingscotland.org for criteria and application forms.
Online Journey Planning Data CollectionCycling Scotland is also seeking expressions of interest from community groups to assist with data collection on local cycling routes and infrastructure for the online cycle journey planner www.cyclestreets.net Contact [email protected] for more information.
andaa
iiintsScottish Local Authority
Cycle Forum to be re-instated
Cycling Scotland has responded to calls
from Scottish local authorities to re-instate
the national cycling forum for local authority
offi cers. The forum played a key role in helping
local authority staff responsible for cycling to
communicate with each other, and also with
key stakeholders and national government.
The forum has not met since around 2004
and was indentifi ed during Cycling Scotland’s
recent best value review as something that
stakeholders felt should be re-introduced
to improve communications between key
players in active travel. The forum will be held
before the end of 2010, and arrangements for
the timing and regularity of future meetings
will be decided at the initial forum.
Cycling Scotland Membership
Cycling Scotland has 34 member
organisations from a wide range of stakeholder
groups. Membership is open to additional
organisations - contact Linda Peters on 0141
229 5350 for more details.
Making Cycling Mainstream
The Making Cycling Mainstream education
package has been presented successfully
to groups of transport professionals from
local authorities, consultants and students.
Building on this success this year Cycling
Scotland is seeking to work directly with
Local Authorities/National Parks to provide
support in the form of more bespoke training
days located within your local area. To learn
more contact Peter Leslie at peterleslie@
cyclingscotland.org or visit our website at
www.cyclingscotland.org to download the
application for support.
hipp
Cycle Hire in LondonLondon Mayor Boris Johnson unveiled a new cycle hire scheme in London on 29th July, hoping to emulate the success of schemes such as Velib in Paris. There are currently 5000 hire bikes available from special docking stations across the city, and over 12,000 people have already signed up to the scheme. Users pay a £1 access fee to use the bikes, which are then free to use for the fi rst half an hour, then charged in hourly increments from there onwards. Find out more about the scheme at www.tfl .gov.uk
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