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‘Pedal for Scotland’ cycling event coming to Lerwick in August

21 July 2021    

The welcoming, beginner-friendly cycling event will be held on 29 August and offers a unique opportunity to cycle on closed roads in the heart of Lerwick.

Visit www.pedal.scot for registration details.

Cycling Scotland is pleased to announce Pedal Lerwick will take place on 29 August 2021.

Pedal for Scotland events are free to enter, inclusive and non-competitive cycling events held on beginner-friendly cycling routes. Pedal Lerwick is the first Pedal for Scotland event to be held since 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will be held subject to local public health guidance and protocols at the time.  

Shetland Island Council’s Sport & Leisure team will coordinate the event with support from various local partners including Ability Shetland, RAYNET Shetland, Shetland Community Bike Project, Specsavers, SIC Road Safety and other volunteers.

Pedal Lerwick will be set over a one-way loop on closed roads around the heart of Lerwick. The King George V Playing Park will host the registration point, free cycle hire (including adapted bikes for disabled participants), a ‘cycling skills circuit’, soft play and games for younger children.

The event will provide a welcoming, safe and fun environment for people new to cycling and families with younger children.

Pedal Lerwick is one of four events being held in 2021. Pedal Ayr (12 September), Pedal Highland Perthshire (2 October) and Pedal Falkirk (3 October) will mark a welcome return for the initiative that has seen thousands of people participate since 1999.

In addition to the Pedal for Scotland events, Cycling Scotland has helped fund nine new cycling events across Scotland.

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.

More information about the 2021 Pedal for Scotland events, including registration details for Pedal Lerwick can be found at www.pedal.scot.

Louise Johnson, Organiser of Pedal Lerwick commented: “We can’t wait to host our first Pedal for Scotland event in Shetland. We have been so restricted in how we can gather in the past year, it will be wonderful to see so many people meet up on their bikes in August.”

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 seen a big 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 event 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.”