Tag: Scottish Cycling

Big rides start small: Rock Up & Ride launches in South Edinburgh

Building on the success of our established Rock Up & Ride programme, Scottish Cycling is expanding into Edinburgh through a new partnership with the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) and We Play Together SCIO at the Crags Community Centre.  

The Rock Up & Ride project in Edinburgh will help to introduce young people to cycling, not only as a sport and recreational activity, but the programme will also help develop the confidence and practical skills needed to cycle independently.

The ambition is to encourage participants to see cycling as an option for everyday journeys, helping make active travel a more accessible choice within their local community.

The ambition of the programme goes beyond simply providing opportunities to ride. The young people involved in the programme will be supported to build confidence and develop their skills, with opportunities to progress into local cycling clubs or explore volunteering and coaching. The project will also help local staff and volunteers gain experience and qualifications, strengthening the Crags Community Centre’s ability to support cycling in the longer term.

SEStran has been a crucial partner in supporting the project, recognising the role cycling can play in creating healthier, more connected communities. With their support, the project will promote the benefits of active travel, helping young people build the confidence to use a bike both for enjoyment and everyday journeys.  

Additional support has been provided through from the Scottish Cycling Tour de France Grand Départ Social Impact Programme. The programme aims to use the profile of the Grand Départ to create lasting opportunities for local communities, with Rock Up & Ride Edinburgh being one example showcasing the impact that the legacy of a major sporting event can have on the local community.    

With Project Coordinator Erin Finnigan already in post, Rock Up & Ride in Edinburgh is building on the strong relationships We Play Together SCIO has established with young people in the local area around the Crags Community Centre. Erin will coordinate the programme, bringing opportunities directly to the community and ensuring that activities reflect the interests and needs of local young people.  

The programme will introduce participants to different cycling disciplines, including BMX, mountain biking and track cycling, with a particular focus on BMX, utilising the “Skelf” pump track adjacent to the Crags Community Centre.  

The programme will be supported by a group of experienced coaches alongside a fleet of bikes and equipment to help remove the cost and barriers that can sometimes prevent young people from getting involved.  

Speaking about the impact of the programme Nick Rennie, Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling, said: “We’re delighted to be furthering the reach of our flagship participation programme, Rock Up & Ride, as it expands into Edinburgh ahead of the Tour de France Grand Départ next summer.

“We’re already feeling the buzz that the Tour de France is creating, so this is a wonderful opportunity to use that to get more people on bikes and build their confidence and competence, so that they regularly use cycling as a form of active travel, or a past time.

“The expansion of the programme into the capital wouldn’t be possible without some fantastic partnership working, so I extend a big thank you to SEStran, We Play Together and the Scottish Government for helping bring it to life, and I can’t wait to see it flourish over the coming months and years.”  

Sally Pattle, Chair of the SEStran Partnership Board, commented: “We’re delighted to support Scottish Cycling’s Rock Up and Ride initiative in Edinburgh through our People and Place programme.

“The sessions with We Place Together at the Crags Community Centre are giving local young people and their families the chance to build their cycling skills and confidence in a fun and inclusive environment, helping make cycling a more accessible option for leisure and everyday journeys.”

The Rock Up & Ride programme at the Crags Community Centre presents an exciting opportunity to turn the excitement of the Tour de France Grand Départ arriving in Edinburgh next year into a lasting, positive impact for the local community.

By bringing cycling opportunities directly to young people and giving them the support and confidence to get involved, the ambition is to inspire a new generation to discover the joy of cycling and the role it can play in their everyday lives. 

Scottish Cycling launches Women & Girls Strategy

Scottish Cycling has launched its first Women & Girls Strategy to coincide with Scottish Women and Girls in Sport week.

The strategy, launched at West Lothian Cycle Circuit with the support of Sports Minister Ms. Maree Todd and double Paralympic champion Jenny Holl, aims to make a step change in female participation in cycle sport.

Despite making up over 50% of the population of Scotland, women are under-represented in cycling, a situation familiar to many sports, and whilst women’s participation is on the up, Scottish Cycling is determined to accelerate this process.

Whilst Scottish Cycling already implements a number of initiatives to make cycling a more female friendly sport, the strategy outlines how the whole organisation, and the Scottish Cycling community, can come together to make a tangible difference.

Speaking at the launch event, Ms Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, said: “Women & Girls in Sport Week is the highlight of my year every year, so to launch this strategy during this week is just fantastic.

“When we were discussing the UCI Cycling World Championships, which were held in Scotland last year, one of the opportunities we saw was to try and get more women cycling,

“Lots and lots of women would like to cycle, but very few of them do, and this strategy is about tackling that. I’m really keen that women and girls have the opportunity to participate in sport; that’s what this week is all about, and that’s what this strategy is about, and I’m absolutely certain it’ll have an impact.”

Scottish Cycling Chief Executive, Nick Rennie, commented: “The launch of our first Women & Girls Strategy is a huge moment for Scottish Cycling and our community, and follows on from our commitment last summer to shift the dial on female participation in our wonderful sport.

“Scottish Cycling already has a number of initiatives aimed at females, which are slowly starting to shift the gender balance, however that rate of progress isn’t quick enough for our liking, and so this strategy, and supporting action plan, aims to really accelerate our work in this area.”

Double Paralympic champion, Jenny Holl, added: “It’s really great to see Scottish Cycling stepping up and pushing for more diversity within the sport, particularly in the women and girl’s space.

“For me, now is the perfect time – having watched the Elite Women’s Road Race at the Glasgow ‘super worlds’ last year, it’s clear to see that there is the support and appetite for women’s cycling in Scotland, we just need to help people access it.”

After extensive consultation with the cycling community and key stakeholders earlier this year, Scottish Cycling refined its strategy to make its vision as clear as possible.

The strategy is broken down into five focus areas, the five Rs: Ride, Race, Role Models, Recognise and Relationships, which are all as important as the next if the organisations 2027 targets are to be achieved. These include a 30% increase in female members and event entries, a 10% increase in retention within the Performance Pathway, 20% more coaches, and a number of new partnerships with other organisations who can help support the fulfilment of these goals.

The strategy clearly outlines the vision, and steps that will be taken to get there, but sitting below this is an Action Plan, which goes into the detailed interventions, and sets annuals targets to keep Scottish Cycling on track to reach its 2027 goals.

You can read the Strategy here

Further detail can be found in the Action Plan here

Scottish Cycling can’t do this alone, so if you have thoughts on the strategy, action plan or want to show your support, please get in touch via: recreation@scottishcycling.org.uk

For partnership or commercial opportunities within the Women & Girls cycling space, please contact pete.matthews@scottischcycling.org.uk

‘Summer’s Here’: Looking out for each other on city’s shared paths

A new City of Edinburgh Council campaign has been launched encouraging people to be mindful of others when using Edinburgh’s shared paths.

With more people choosing to walk, cycle, jog or wheel, the city’s network of off-road paths is busier than ever, so we’re sharing top tips to help people exercise and travel safely.

Through social media, digital and citywide advertising, the ‘Summer’s Here’ campaign asks everyone to look out for one another and follow guidance for using the paths, such as:

  • give each other space 
  • take it easy and slow right down when on your bike on a shared path
  • stay left and pass on the right
  • keep your dog on a lead in busy areas
  • stay alert, especially if using headphones or your phone
  • remember that not all disabilities are visible – slow down and give enough warning

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Being able to get out and about and exercise on our fantastic network of off-road paths has been a saving grace of the pandemic, and we want to make sure people can continue to do that safely and comfortably.

“It’s no surprise these are busy, popular routes, where everyone can walk, jog, cycle or wheel, so we just need to be mindful of one another when we make use of them. Through the Summer’s Here campaign, we’re sharing handy tips and advice to help everyone to enjoy and benefit from these shared-use spaces.”

The city council is reminding residents and visitors to take extra care in areas where people walking, wheeling and cycling share the same space. Advice for different groups includes:

Cyclists

  • Use your bell to let people know you are there well in advance, especially at blind corners
  • Give others space
  • Don’t pass at speed
  • At night – avoid dazzling others with your lights: dip, dim, don’t strobe

Walkers and runners 

  • Listen for cyclists’ bells
  • Allow cyclists to pass
  • At night, think about whether you are visible to others

Dog walkers

  • Keep dogs on a short lead or close to heel
  • Clean up after your dog
  • At night, use a reflective collar or coat on your dog

Find out more on the Paths for Everyone website.

You can also find guidance from Sustrans and from Scottish Cycling for walking and cycling safely as lockdown measures start to ease on their websites.