Boost to 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds Go Cycle Glasgow fund will see community cycling projects continue into 2024
This week marked one hundred days since the world’s biggest ever cycling event ended in Glasgow, with fourteen community groups celebrating a funding boost that will enable their legacy projects to continue into 2024.
This summer’s inaugural 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships showcased Glasgow’s passion for sport to a worldwide audience and celebrated The Power of the Bike.
Following the successful initial phase of the community-focussed Go Cycle Glasgow fund, it has been extended to Spring 2024 after its official partner, Landsec, committed an additional £50,000.
Go Cycle was created by Glasgow Life to support the city’s cycling activation programme and engage citizens with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life said:
“I visited many Go Cycle projects as we prepared to welcome the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to Glasgow. The enthusiasm and commitment of these local groups and everything they have achieved, by creating and delivering a variety of ways to get on a bike was impressive. We are already seeing the positive impact these projects are having, inspiring more local people to try out or return to cycling, and making it an activity for life.
It’s wonderful news we can continue working with these groups to provide more opportunities to enable everyone to get on a bike and I look forward to visiting more of them in the new year."
Rich Rothwell, Development Director, Landsec (Buchanan Galleries owner) said:
"We are proud to have partnered with Glasgow Life on the hugely successful Go Cycle Fund. It has been great to see how local groups have enthusiastically led a range of projects to encourage sustainable and inclusive mobility."
Already 29 community groups have benefited from more than £160,000 of funding, which went towards new and enhanced cycling programmes, which encouraged and promoted cycling for recreation, sport, and active travel.
Tailored come and try sessions, introductory lessons, training, led-rides, maintenance provision, and the availability of refurbished bikes and safety equipment has made it possible for more young people, women, people with disabilities, low-income families, and ethnic minorities, regardless of background or ability, to enjoy The Power of the Bike.
The monies will be distributed between; Toryglen Community Youth Project, Movement Park, Safety Awareness Glasgow, Cranhill Development Trust, Bikes for Refugees, Glasgow Afghan United, Ibrox Primary School, Active Life Club, Castlemilk Youth Complex, Women in Wheels, Shawlands Bike Bus, Blackwood Peoplehood Cardonald, Leap Sports and ng Homes.
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships were hosted in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 to 13 August. It was the first ever multidiscipline cycling event, bringing 13 UCI World Championships into one successful mega event, featuring thousands of world-class elite and amateur athletes and more than one million spectators.
The event was a catalyst for change across the city. Glasgow is the first place in the UK to be awarded UCI Bike City status, which recognises cities and regions that host major UCI cycling events and invest in developing community cycling and related infrastructure and programmes.