Community events across the country are being encouraged to celebrate the power of the bike and help create a national celebration of cycling in the build up to next year’s UCI Cycling World Championships taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 until 13 August 2023.
To support this, EventScotland has today (12 October) launched the second round of the Events strand of the Community Cycling Fund.
The latest round of funding is part of the £1 million fund launched in May this year and is being delivered in partnership between EventScotland, sportscotland and the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to support sustainable cycling projects and free events across Scotland.
It is made up of two strands, the Development Strand administered by sportscotland, and the Events strand being delivered by EventScotland.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Events strand can be submitted from today (12 October) until 5pm, 16 November 2022.
Applicants are able to apply for awards between £5,000 and £15,000 for events taking place from the 1 April 2023 to the 2 August 2023.
Activity eligible for support though the Events strand includes enhancing existing events with new cycling opportunities that promote the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships; cycling innovations which develop, enhance, or grow cycling participation and/or the event; activity and events which provide local communities the opportunity to celebrate the power of the bike and take part in cycling; and costs supporting sustainable practices as part of a wider event.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said:
“Community activities and events are an integral part of the build up to 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships next year and I’m delighted that the next round of funding is now open.
“I would encourage groups across Scotland to take this chance to get involved and apply to the fund.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the Championships to deliver a lasting impact by inspiring people across Scotland to make cycling part of their lives and spread the word about the power of the bike.”
Robbie Clyde, Head of EventScotland, said:
“Events play an important role in our communities as they give us the chance to come together and share memorable experiences.
“The Community Cycling Fund offers event organisers the opportunity to give people the chance to discover the joy riding a bike can bring to their everyday lives in a fun and safe environment while also helping create a lasting benefit from our hosting of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.”
Craig Burn, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Director of Strategy and Policy Impacts, said:
“The Community Cycling Fund provides a fantastic opportunity for local communities to benefit from and be part of a national celebration of cycling as we continue to build momentum toward Scotland hosting the world’s biggest cycling event ever in August 2023.
“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will undoubtedly inspire more people to ride bikes, however, this commitment and investment from EventScotland to establish an events programme ensures the event can be utilised as a catalyst to create participation opportunities and celebrate cycling in a fun and safe environment across the length and breadth of Scotland.”
Already 18 free events across 12 Local Authorities have been supported through the first round of funding, including the Women on Wheels Cycling Festival in Queens Park in Glasgow, Get Active Family Cycling Challenge that took place in and around Drumchapel Cycle Hub, Fife Loves Cycling, the Auchterarder Community Sports and Recreation (ACSR) Bike Fun Day, and the Dukes Weekender who developed and delivered an adaptive cycling route as part of this year’s event.
Shgufta Anwar, Founding Director of Women on Wheels SCIO, said:
“The funding from EventScotland allowed us to hold our first Women’s Cycle Festival in Queens Park in August.
“We were able to deliver maintenance classes, Dr Bikes, arts and crafts, beginners lessons, confidence building led rides all day culminating in a celebration event in the evening with an inspirational chat from Aneela Mckenna from Mor Diversity.
“In total we engaged with 347 women and non-binary people, with direct cycling delivery with 86 of those women, including a woman who was 65 and had always wanted to learn but never prioritised herself.
“We also had someone who got back on a bike after 35 years.
“We look forward to running another event for International Women’s Day on 11 March 2023.”
Kirsteen Durkin, Fife Council (acting) Active Communities Manager, said:
“This funding helped Fife Council to provide a fun and friendly event that targeted new audiences and families to try different types of cycling all in the one place.
“We engaged with all the visitors and were able to listen to their thoughts on how we can provide what they would like for the future.”
Tim Hart, ACSR Development Manager, said:
“ACSR’s Bike Fun Day was a huge success with more than 500 people from Auchterarder and the surrounding area enjoying a variety of activities that were all centred around promoting Active Travel, increasing people’s confidence on their bikes, raising awareness of the 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships and building anticipation towards the Pump Track and Mountain Bike Trail being installed in next year.
“Activities on offer included a mobile skills’ track, displays by The Clan, free bike safety checks, a family orienteering course, a 2023km community cycling challenge, a prize draw for those who used Active Travel to attend the event and the chance to make your own smoothie by pedalling.
“It was a fantastic day that was well supported by the local community, and we are grateful to EventScotland for their support to help make the event possible.”
