Fife ishosting an eight-day cycling festival this summer to encourage people of all abilities to get on their bikes.
The inaugural Fife Cycling Festival will run from Saturday May 31 to Sunday June 8, with a range of events planned for participants and spectators.
The council’s Active Fife team has been working with groups including Dunfermline Cycle Club, Scottish Cycling and Make Your Move Kirkcaldy to line up an exciting week of activities and races.
For the first time, Dunfermline will host a closed road criterium or “crit”, which is a race held on a short course.
Cyclists will race for 40 minutes on a lap that will take in the town centre and Pittencrieff Park.
The country’s best young racers will battle it out in a Scottish junior road race, beginning in Kennoway,
Other events will include a junior mountain bike circuit race at Lochore Meadows, a refresher cycling family event at Beveridge Park, a 25-mile time trial club event from Freuchie and a cycle speedway for youngsters in Dunfermline.
Cycling Sportive will close the week-long celebration, with participants invited to take part in a 33 or 70 mile route around the park.
Fife Council physical activity and legacy manager Emma Broadhurst announced the news at a crit race for primary schools held at Lochore Meadows this week.
She said: “This is Fife’s first cycling festival and we want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved, whether it be in the saddle or cheering from the sidelines.
“The festival isn’t just for those in cycling clubs events will be on offer for all ages and abilities.
“The crits and speedway events will also give Fife cyclists the opportunity to try out something new and develop their cycling skills.
“This will be a real celebration of cycling in Fife. It aims to get everyone thinking about the different cycling opportunities available to them and offers the chance to get advice, develop techniques and ride courses they haven’t tried before.”
It was recently announced nearly £5 million will be invested in cycling projects for Fife over the next two years, with funding of £2.4m from Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Community Link Programme being match funded by Fife Council. The council plans to build on progress made in Kirkcaldy by developing ambitious cycling projects for Dunfermline and Glenrothes.
Ms Broadhurst added: “With over 350 miles of cycleways and lots of 20mph residential zones Fife is a great place to get on your bike.
“This festival is all about showcasing the different ways people can do that to have fun and stay active.”