Students across Scotland to get cycling in 2019

Staff and students at 15 universities and colleges across Scotland have an exciting start to their new semesters: campuses across the country will receive funding for cycling projects to encourage students, staff and visitors to cycle.

£202,900 has been awarded to institutions in Glasgow, Edinburgh, East Kilbride, Stirling, Dundee, Fife, Aberdeen and Inverness to improve and support their cycling facilities, reaching over 210,000 students and almost 30,000 staff across Scotland. 

The funding, from our Cycle Friendly Campus Development Fund, supported by Transport Scotland, will be used to encourage students and staff to cycle on campus, to work and lectures, between facilities, to student accommodation and to explore their new cities. The funding will provide new secure cycle parking for students, staff and visitors to enjoy on campus, development and extension of student bike hire schemes and showering and changing facilities

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “This is yet another welcome initiative from Cycling Scotland that I’m proud the Scottish Government can support. It’s so encouraging to see further cycling facilities going to our universities and colleges which will make cycling easier and more accessible for students and staff. With continued investment into facilities, alongside high quality infrastructure, we can continue to build an Active Nation, where more people and communities can enjoy the many benefits of walking and cycling than ever before.”

Valentin Jeanjean, Development Officer at Cycling Scotland, said "This is a fantastic opportunity for institutions in the higher and further education sector to address the common barriers to cycling faced by students and staff. We are pleased to be able to support 15 institutions on a wider variety of capital development projects that will turn Scottish campuses into places where cycling is easy, accessible and affordable to anyone."

Hannah Wilson, Development Funding Executive at West College Scotland, which has received funding for its campuses in Inverclyde and Renfrewshire, said: “West College Scotland is delighted to receive funding from the Cycle Friendly Campus Development Fund. This funding will allow us to install new secure bike parking at our Greenock campus, and create updated signage and maps for our Paisley and Greenock campuses. We aim to get as many staff and students cycling as possible, and support like this makes a real difference.”