Funding of £897,000 from Transport Scotland’s Cycling Walking & Safer Streets (CWSS) and £280,000 from Sustrans will assist in the development and further provision of safe cycle routes in the city.

Sustrans funding will be used on cycling projects including a much needed north-south cycle route in the city centre; a key cycle commuter route between the south side and city centre and the design and construction of the NCN 7 – Cardonald cycle route, providing a route from Pollok, Craigton and the NCN from Paisley to the new South Glasgow Hospitals.

The CWSS funding will enhance the city’s cycling infrastructure, will increase the provision of cycle routes segregated from traffic as well as more secure cycle parking facilities.

The projects tie in with the council’s own Strategic Plan for Cycling 2015-2025 which has recently been put out to consultation. The plan sets out Glasgow’s vision, objectives, targets and actions for increasing levels of cycling for leisure, as a mode of transport and for sport.

It follows the council’s 2010 strategy which focused on preparing the city for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The Games was a resounding success and the Strategic Plan for Cycling 2015-2025 aims to build on its legacy, making best use of new and existing facilities.

Since 2010, considerable achievements have been made:

  • The number of cycling facilities has grown considerably – from 230km of cycle network in 2010, to 305km in 2014, to the opening of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails;
  • Investment in cycling in Glasgow has increased and remains steadily above the national average;
  • The number of people cycling has increased significantly – a 200% increase since 2007.

Earlier this year, the council announced plans to build a new BMX (Bicycle Motocross) track in the north west of the city. It will be the first and only world championship and Olympic standard track in Scotland and the second in the UK, outside of Manchester.

The track, planned for Knightswood Park, will be one of the venues for the 2018 European Cycling Championships, part of the European Sports Championships taking place in Glasgow in 2018.

Councillor Alistair Watson, Executive Member for Sustainability and Transport, said: “We are making real progress in promoting and establishing cycling as a healthy and sustainable form of transport for work and leisure.

“More than £15m has been spent on cycling infrastructure in recent years and this funding will help us to continue with the development of further safer cycle and walking routes.

“We have world-class cycling facilities including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and the mountain bike trails at Cathkin Braes.

“But we know it is just as important that people of all ages can travel around the city by bike and on foot, conveniently and safely. Part of the funding will also go towards improving road safety and will be used to introduce traffic calming schemes, pedestrian crossing points and increasing footways.”

 

Links

The Strategic Plan for Cycling 2015 – 2025 consultation document is available at www.glasgow.gov.uk/consultations (under current consultations). Closing date is 4 September 2015.

For more information on cycling in Glasgow visit www.glasgow.gov.uk/cycling