£330k to support community cycling initiatives

28 organisations across Scotland have received over £330k through the Cycle Friendly Community Development Fund. The money has been provided by the Scottish Government and delivered through Cycling Scotland in order to provide greater access to bikes and more opportunities to cycle.

By providing additional access and opportunities, it supports local projects in using bikes as a way to bring different and diverse communities together – supporting the charitable aims of many of the organisations awarded funding across Scotland.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson made the announcement during Cycling Scotland’s annual conference. Commenting on the announcement, Mr Matheson said:

“It’s encouraging to see a range of organisations across Scotland seeking to use cycling to bring communities together. There are so many personal and environmental benefits that come with choosing to cycle.

"We have doubled the active travel budget so that with our partners we can create additional opportunities for people to choose sustainable travel options like cycling.

"By continuing to fund innovative projects like this, we can continue to build an Active Nation, where more people and communities can enjoy the many benefit of walking and cycling.”

Pete Mills, Development Officer at Cycling Scotland said: “We’re supporting communities across Scotland to use cycling as a way of achieving their aims. From projects that support mental health to those that tackle homelessness, the funding will support the purchase of bikes, equipment and maintenance tools as well as provide training and promote projects locally. We’re excited to give more people across Scotland access to bikes and the opportunity to cycle.”

Rashid Khaliq of Glasgow-based Soul Riders said: “Our vision is to create a stronger community, using the enjoyment of cycling to engage them. The mix of nationalities we work with is incredibly diverse – Pakistani, Syrian, Chilean, Sri Lankan, Iranian to name just a few - and we find that our cycling projects help to overcome social isolation and makes so many men and women feel healthier, fitter, stronger and happier.”

Coupar Angus Cycle Hub’s development officer Grant Murdoch said: “From the very start, the Hub has been about the community and connecting people, families and generations. Our events have become popular staples of the social calendar and parental involvement in training classes has taught new skills and confidence. The funding and recognition from Cycling Scotland gives the Hub a boost and helps position cycling as a viable means of commuting and accessible leisure activity.”

To find out more, visit https://www.cycling.scot/our-programmes/cycle-friendly/community

Summary of projects

Organisation	Funding	Location (not necessarily project reach)	Summary
Aberdeen Multicultural Centre	£14,900.00	Aberdeen City	AMBC work with minority groups in Aberdeen. Support for bike, equipment and training costs to encourage minority groups in Aberdeen to cycle.
Angus Cycle Hub	£16,315.87	Angus	Angus Cycle Hub is based in Arbroath and supports cycling across the Angus region. The funding provided will support the creation of a bike library for both the general public and a referral system through purchase of bikes and equipment, along with sessional costs.
Bikes for Refugees	£18,128.00	Edinburgh City	Bikes for Refugees provide opportunities for refugees to cycle - funding support covers hub upgrades, bike parking and training.
Bikeworks Fife	£6,540.00	Fife	Bikeworks Fife has been working in partnership with other local groups to provide bikes to disadvantaged families. Funding will be provided to expand this scheme, to purchase bikes, equipment, and training.
Bute Community Cycling Group	£5,550.00	Argyll & Bute	Bute Community Cycling Group has been supported through purchase of bike repair stations, an innertube vending machine, and cycles.
Coupar Angus Cycle Hub	£4,200.00	Perth & Kinross	CACH are being provided funding to install cycle parking at their hub in Coupar Angus, to provide school children somewhere to store bikes as part of their commute to school in the next town.
Cycling UK	£2,390.00	Inverclyde	Support for The Bothy in Gourock to encourage cycling in the Inverclyde region, through purchase of bikes and equipment.
Cyrenians	£3,765.00	Edinburgh City	Cyrenians work with young homeless people and international volunteers. The supported project will increase access to bikes through purchase of bike parking, bikes, and cycling equipment.
Dundee & Angus ADHD Support Group	£3,914.00	Dundee City	Dundee & Angus ADHD Support Group have been running a cycling project for several years. The funding provided will help with the purchases of bikes, equipment and training to provide cycling opportunities to the whole family unit.
Dundee City Disability Sport/NHS Tayside	£17,286.00	Dundee City	Dundee City Disability Sport/NHS Tayside provides support for people with additional needs to start cycling. Funding will support an expansion of the project due to increased demand in the area.
Dundee International Women's Centre	£4,141.05	Dundee City	DIWC has been working with an engaged group of local female cyclists. This funding will provide bikes, equipment and training required to increase the reach of this project.
Easterhouse Phoenix	£19,600.00	Glasgow City	Funding provided for adapted bikes, to expand cycling opportunities for the local community, led by The Phoenix Centre in Easterhouse.
Glenboig Neighbourhood House	£11,864.00	North Lanarkshire	Part of wider cycling hub development led by Glenboig Neighbourhood House, funding will go towards bike purchases and sessional costs to provide local cycling opportunities.
Grampian Disability Sport	£19,029.63	Aberdeenshire	Grampian Disability Sport is working to increase to adapted bikes and inclusive cycling opportunities across NE of Scotland. The funding provided will support them through the purchase of bikes, equipment, tools and training.
Health in Mind	£13,594.80	Edinburgh City	Health in Mind works to support those with mental health needs. Funding provided will support creation of a hub catering to service users.
Inverclyde Community Development Trust	£18,080.00	Inverclyde	ICDT works across Inverclyde and the funding will support the installation of bike repair stands throughout the area, and maintenance training, increasing cycling infrastructure overall.
Inverkip Community Hub	£16,095.82	Inverclyde	Inverkip Community Hub is being supported to increase cycling infrastructure in the area through purchase of a bike shelter and repair station, and improving access to bikes through bike purchase, equipment and training.
LEAP Car Club	£19,600.00	Renfrewshire	LEAP currently delivers a car club and will be supported to deliver a pool bike scheme alongside this. Funding will be used to buy ebike, parking, equipment and sessional costs.
Milnbank Housing Association	£11,550.00	Glasgow City	MHA is currently delivering a community cycling project, which is operating at capacity. The funding provided will be used to purchase bikes and equipment to meet this demand.
North Fife Cycling Group	£4,000.00	North Fife	NFCG promotes cycling to those in North Fife. Funding will be provided for events, signage and maintenance costs to compliment a wider feasibility study for the area.
On Yer Bike Ayrshire	£17,898.85	North Ayrshire	On Yer Bike uses a referral service to encourage the local population to engage with cycling. Funding will support purchase of bikes, tools, and sessional costs.
Outfit Moray	£6,475.00	Moray	Outfit Moray looks to engage the local community with activities, including cycling. Funding has been provided for bike purchase, Dr. Bike session and led ride costs to increase cycling rates in the area.
SoulRiders Scotland	£9,325.00	Glasgow City	SoulRiders Scotland is based in the south side of Glasgow, working with the local community to get them cycling. Support provided will focus on young people and vulnerable people, looking to tackle isolation and build confidence.
South Ayrshire Paths Initiative	£16,210.00	South Ayrshire	SAPI is working in several towns in South Ayrshire to improve cycling opportunities. Funding for cycle enhancements across South Ayrshire including bike parking and signage.
St. Paul's Youth Forum	£19,935.75	Glasgow City	Project based in Blackhill area of Glasgow, delivering cycle activities to local children and families, with funding provided for pool bikes, storage, equipment and sessional.
The North Ronaldsay Trust	£3,532.10	Orkney Islands	Funding to support a community run island wide bike rental scheme, through purchase of bikes, tools and maintenance training.
Volunteering Hebrides	£19,940.00	Western Isles	Funding will be provided to Volunteering Hebrides for storage, equipment and bikes to build on a successful pilot project promoting cycling locally.
West Lothian Bike Library	£7,016.00	West Lothian	Working with several partners, West Lothian Bike Library provides local cycling opportunities. Funding will be provided to support the activities of their cycle hub.