Leisure
Cycling Scotland announces four ‘Pedal for Scotland’ events in 2021
11 June 2021
Welcoming, beginner-friendly cycling events to be held in Ayr, Lerwick,
Highland Perthshire, and Falkirk between August and October 2021.
Funding to support events in nine other locations has also been awarded.
Cycling Scotland is pleased to announce four Pedal for Scotland events this year. Free to enter, inclusive and non-competitive, these events will be held across Scotland on beginner-friendly cycling routes. These are the first Pedal for Scotland events since 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will be held subject to local public health guidance and protocols at the time.
Pedal Lerwick (29 August), Pedal Ayr (12 September), Pedal Highland Perthshire (2 October) and Pedal Falkirk (3 October) will mark a welcome return for the cycling initiative that has seen thousands of people participate since 1999.
Each event is between 5 to 8 miles long and will provide a welcoming, safe and fun environment for people new to cycling and families with younger children. More Pedal events are likely to be announced later this year.
Cycling Scotland has also helped to fund nine new cycling events across Scotland: Banffshire Cycle Challenge in Aberdeenshire, Strathconon Cycle in Highland, Celebration of Cycling in Dumfries & Galloway, Aberlour Big Cycle in Fife, Gordon Castle Cycle in Moray, Cycle Orkney, Clyde United Cycle, the Shotts Cycling Event in North Lanarkshire and The Canny Cycle in Perth & Kinross.
In 2020, Cycling Scotland evolved Pedal for Scotland from the annual 45-mile fundraising event between Glasgow and Edinburgh into a series of beginner-friendly events across Scotland.
Christopher Johnson, Head of Education and Training for Cycling Scotland commented:
“It’s great to see these new local Pedal events happening this year. We’ve recorded a 47% rise in people cycling in Scotland in the year since lockdown first began, including many people who have either learned to cycle or re-discovered it.
Taking part in a Pedal on safe and accessible cycling routes can help build confidence and skills for you and/or your children. And if you already cycle regularly, you can recommend an event to friends and family and help them get all the physical and mental health benefits of cycling.”