Organisations commit to making Scotland cycling friendly

244 organisations across Scotland have registered for the Cycling Friendly award, a scheme run by Cycling Scotland, the nation’s cycling organisation.

The award recognises and celebrates schools, employers, community projects, colleges and universities that have gone the extra mile to make it easier and more accessible for people to cycle.

In the 2020-21 financial year, Cycling Scotland had anticipated supporting 150 organisations to register and attain the award this year, but halfway through the year and despite all the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, 244 organisations have committed to working towards the accreditation, with 40 having already achieved the award

From Highlands to the Borders, the Orkney Islands to Dumfries & Galloway, 100 employers, more than 70 schools and over 60 community groups are actively working towards achieving the accreditation.

Organisations that have registered have committed to working towards tailored action plans to meet criteria, which includes:

• Installing cycle parking, showers and changing facilities
• Providing pool bikes or membership to a bike hire scheme
• Providing bike mileage allowance for business journeys
• Offering cycle training
• Monitoring cycle rates
• Providing resources to support people to cycle 

The Scottish Association for Marine Science, based in Oban, is one such employer, having achieved the award in July 2020. Dr Emily Venables, Support Scientist said “The Scottish Association for Marine Science is committed to sustainability and caring for our environment. The support that we have received has transformed our changing facilities, encouraged people towards the cycle to work scheme and helped to create a much more positive attitude towards cycling to work. Cycling Scotland has been great to work with, and we are really pleased to have been awarded our Cycling Friendly Employer status this year.”

Kath Brough, Head of Behaviour Change, said: “Despite all the challenges of 2020, it’s been so encouraging to see that people across the country are dedicated to making cycling easier and more accessible. From schools to workplaces, colleges to community groups, organisations are working hard to support their staff, students and local communities choose a healthy and sustainable way to travel.

As we enter the winter months, supporting our physical health and mental wellbeing is vital, and cycling is a great way to ensure this, as well as relieving pressure on our transport system. If any organisation is interested in becoming cycling friendly, I’d encourage you to view the criteria on our website and register for the award.”

In order to support organisations attain the award, Cycling Scotland provides development grant funding from Transport Scotland.

Cycling Scotland has been reporting on the rise in cycle rates during Covid-19, which saw an increase of 43% from March to August 2020 compared to the same time last year of people getting on their bikes.

Interested in becoming a Cycling Friendly organisation?