A campaign to encourage more people to cycle has reached a milestone by hosting more than 500 events across the country.
Since mid-September, the Big Bike Revival has been working with community groups, businesses and bike recycling centres to deliver activities such as free mechanics sessions and bike safety checks across Scotland.
The Scottish Government, which helps fund the project, wants 10% of everyday car journeys to be taken by bike instead by 2020.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “With 35% of the population having access to at least one bike, cycling should be a more visible activity, and hopefully the Big Bike Revival will make that happen.”
Project manager Shona Morris said: “We’ve seen thousands of people attend our events across the length and breadth of Scotland and have been delighted at the positive feedback and comments from those who have dusted their bikes down and decided to get back in the saddle.
“We’ve worked with a wide range of people to encourage them to get riding, including people with disabilities, those who haven’t cycled for decades, families, members of BME communities and older people.”
The scheme, developed by Cycling UK, has so far worked with every local authority in Scotland and now wants to set up 50 community cycling clubs across the country by the end of March 2017.
The clubs will include family cycling groups, women’s groups and classes specifically for new riders, and will offer first aid and ride leader training.
