Three projects in North Lanarkshire are celebrating at the Scottish Government and sportscotland announce they will receive £158,599 of investment from the £8 million Cycling Facilities Fund.
The projects set to benefit from this second round of investment are the new pump track at Getting Better Together in Shotts which will bag £50,000, St Philip's Neighbourhood Safe Cycling Tracks in Airdrie which will also receive £50,000 and the Cumbernauld Centurions BMX Track which will take home £58,559.
Getting Better Together will use the £50,000 of funding to incorporate a pump track into their new community hub development in Shotts.
This will provide cycling, scooter and skating opportunities for the local community, from complete beginners to those who want to improve their skills.
The group believes that providing sport and physical activities of this kind will have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the local community.
Meanwhile the investment for Cumbernauld Centurions will allow them to upgrade the Broadwood BMX track with a sprint straight and skills area to increase the range of opportunities available for both beginners and more experienced riders.
St Philip's School will use the investment to build a new pump track in the grounds of the school in Airdrie. The aim is to build on existing programmes around physical activity, healthy eating and bike maintenance, particularly targeting young women, girls, children with additional support needs and young people with a disability.
Scottish Sport Minister, Maree Todd, said: “I am delighted that more communities across Scotland will benefit through the cycling facilities fund.
“We have seen a record increase in the number of people participating in cycling particularly during these very challenging times.
“It is important we continue to build on the interest in cycling and the positive impact it has on health and wellbeing helping us achieve our vision of an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport and physical activity for their physical, mental and social health.
“This investment in accessible, inclusive and inspiring cycling facilities will also deliver a legacy from the Cycling World Championships in 2023 for decades.
“By taking this innovative and collaborative approach to investment in cycling we can harness the power of the bike and encourage communities across Scotland to realise the many health, environmental and economic benefits of riding a bike.”
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