1. CYCLING Cycling Scotland
SCOTLAND
NEWS
ISSUE 07 SPRING 2008
‘Get into Cycling to School’
Media Campaign Launches
Spring 2008 will see Cycling Scotland on a mission
to get more children cycling to school, as a new Noticeboard
media campaign has been launched in 4 areas
across Scotland. 18 May: Etape Caledonia
Spreading the message of “Get into Cycling to School” , Bike Week
the media campaign is based around promoting the £10 14 June: Glasgow Big Bike Ride
million investment made during the Scottish Government’s 15 June: Leukaemia Research
‘Tackling the School Run’ initiative. The project saw new cycle Kingussie Bikeathon
infrastructure such as bike parking and cycle lockers installed 21 June: Edinburgh to St. Andrews
alongside new off road paths and traffic calmed streets. Bike Ride
22 June: Two Capitals Ride:
Taking a targeted approach, Cycling Scotland has focused Dunfermeline to Edinburgh
on 4 key areas where research identified that parents would 22 June: First Mini Monster
be most receptive to a pro-cycling message and good
14 September: Pedal for Scotland
levels of cycling infrastructure and training were in place –
Aberdeenshire, Moray, West Lothian and Edinburgh. 16 September: European Mobility
Week
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2. Cycling Scotland Cycling Scotland
Cycle Friendly Schools
The marketing campaign will be
backed up by PR work to get the
message into local newspapers and
radio. Photocalls are to be arranged Following the success of Cycling Scotland’s
in schools where cycling levels are popular Cycle Friendly Employer scheme, a new
now comparatively high, to show other award has been developed to encourage schools
schools that it can be done and has a to provide facilities for children to be able to make
positive impact on school life. their way to class by bike.
A microsite has been launched on the The Cycle Friendly Schools award is due to launch in April
Cycling Scotland website to give more 2008, and is aimed at primary schools across Scotland. The
information to parents, teachers and award will assess how cycle-friendly Scottish primary schools
children on how to get into cycling to are in relation to set criteria such as cycling infrastructure,
school, and giving details of cycling incentives and promotion. The process will also enable
continued from page 1 infrastructure and routes in the 4 focus schools to develop an action plan in order to make further
areas. To find out more information, improvements which will mean more pupils can make an
The aim of the campaign is to communicate to parents in
visit active and safe journey to school.
these areas that cycling to school is a good option for their
children, being not only healthy, green and less stressful than www.cyclingscotland.org/
cyclingtoschool.aspx The scheme has been developed in partnership with a number
driving them on the school run, but also now supported by
of key stakeholders in order to encourage cycling as part
measures to make it easy, safe, convenient and fun. Research
had previously indicated that the main barrier to children
cycling to school was that parents did not allow it because of
Free cycle training Cycling Scotland is providing free
reflective waistcoats, reflective
of the whole school culture and contribute to increasing the
number of children cycling to and at school. A Cycle Friendly
fears that it may be unsafe. kit available arm bands, road signs for cycle
training and cycling activity skills
School pack will be sent to all primary schools in Scotland
during April. The pack contains all the information needed to
kits to assist with cycle training get the school on the road to achieving cycle friendly status,
The media campaign will comprise a series of radio adverts
in schools. These items are with specially devised guides for teachers and for a cycling
broadcast during the school run hours, asking parents who
being delivered to local authorities champion within the school, as well as assessment forms
are driving their children to school to consider cycling as an
throughout February, March and April and lesson plans.
alternative, and will be backed up by visual media on key
school run routes. The campaign visuals take inspiration and have been provided to School
Travel Coordinators, Active School The Award pack will be sent to all Primary schools in Scotland
from the fact that over 30% of school children want to
Managers and Road Safety Officers through the School Travel Co-ordinator, Active School Co-
cycle to school but only 1% do, and will range from large
as appropriate to each local authority ordinator and Road Safety Officer networks.
billboard adverts to bus shelter ‘take-overs’ where entire bus
shelters will be overprinted with graphics showing children’s area. 4 day Cycle Trainer Courses are
also available to help build capacity If you would like more information about becoming a Cycle
enthusiasm for cycling to school.
to enhance the delivery of cycle Friendly School you can contact Education and Training
training within Local Authority areas. Officer Lindsay Brunton on 0141 229 5350 or at
The overall aim is to encourage parents to re-evaluate their
Cycling Scotland will continue to lindsaybrunton@cyclingscotland.org, or simply go to our
attitude towards their children cycling to school, and to give
offer this training free of charge for website at
parents the information they need to plan how their children To order equipment or training call
Alasdair Marshall on 0141 229 5350 key personnel throughout 2008. www.cyclingscotland.org/cyclefriendlyschool.aspx
can cycle to school.
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3. Cycling Scotland Cycling Scotland
Making Cycling Mainstream Cycle Friendly
delivered in Perth Employer -
3 modules of Cycling Scotland’s professional The courses were well attended, SESTRAN award
development course Making Cycling Mainstream and feedback showed the delegates
were delivered in March 2008 to a group of local had found they had learnt key skills Regional Transport Partnership Sestran became
authority and industry stakeholders in Perth. that would help them increase levels the latest employer to gain cycle-friendly status
of cycling in their job roles. Making earlier this year, after fulfilling all the necessary
The courses covered 3 key areas relating to increasing Cycling Mainstream courses can be criteria to receive the Cycle Friendly Employer
cycling. The Stakeholder Engagement module outlines how delivered on demand, and at venues Award.
to effectively work in partnership with other organisations and across the country, so if you are
how to assess the needs of users and stakeholders through interested in booking contact Jim The award was presented to Sestran by Cycling Scotland
effective consultation. Marketing and Promoting Cycling deals Riach on 0141 229 5350 or at Director Sandy Scotland. Keith Irving, Travel Plan Officer at
with how to ensure cycling facilities are used once they are jimriach@cyclingscotland.org or Sestran, who had spearheaded the efforts to achieve the
installed through marketing and PR, and how to raise overall visit the website at award, collected it on behalf of Sestran. Keith explained his
Cycling Scotland Director, Sandy reasons for pursuing the award:
cycling levels by promoting the various benefits of cycling www.cyclingscotland.org/
Scotland, presenting Keith Irving,
to targeted segments of the market. On the more technical makingcyclingmainstream.aspx Travel Plan Officer at SESTRAN
side, a full day course was devoted to carrying out a cycle “The improvement of cycling facilities will assist present day
with the award
audit, which is a key component of planning and designing cyclists, and encourage more people to consider cycling
cycle routes. as a potential mode of transport, since exposure to traffic
is a significant deterrent for some. The promotion of cycling
Cycling can bring major health and environmental benefits. Cycling
contributes contributes to several of Sestran’s key objectives, especially
to several of in improving access to employment, contributing to the
achievement of the UK’s national targets and obligations
Sestran’s key on greenhouse gas emissions, promoting more sustainable
objectives, travel and increasing transport choices while reducing
especially in dependency on the private car.”
improving access Any organisation seeking to become cycle-friendly
to employment should contact Lindsay Brunton on 0141 229 5350 or at
lindsaybrunton@cyclingscotland.org to get a Cycle
Friendly Employer pack.
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4. Cycling Scotland Cycling Scotland
Bike Week 2008 Bike Week Events
Here are some of the Bike Week events announced so far:
It’s all change for the biggest cycling event in Britain
this year, as Bike Week returns fully rebranded and
14 June Glasgow Big Bike Ride
revamped.
An off road ride through the beautiful Glasgow Park in
aid of Childline Scotland. Call 0844 892 0212 for more
The job of managing the overall strategy and brand for the
details.
week long festival of over 1000 cycling events UK-wide has
changed hands, and the new agency partners Forster and 12 - 15 June Edinburgh Bike Week Film Festival
Limelight have brought not only a funky new brand style to The festival of bike related films returns to Edinburgh’s
the week, but also a number of exciting new partnerships. Filmhouse, this year including a new film Just a Minute, a
documentary on Scottish cycling hero Chris Hoy.
The new Bike Week brand can be seen on the right, and www.bicyclefilmfestival.info
brings a fresh and modern look to the event. In addition,
15 June Leukaemia Research Kingussie Bikeathon
a new theme for the public relations strategy has been
A 26 mile cycle through the outstanding Highland
developed. Communications to press and media will carry
countryside in aid of Leukaemia Research.
the message that Bike Week is an ideal way to ‘Free the
Email scotbike@tiscali.co.uk for details.
Family’. Be it freeing kids up from the computer, or mum and
dad from in front of the TV, Bike Week is an ideal opportunity
21 June Edinburgh to St Andrews Bike Ride
for families to get out in the fresh air and do something active
67 miles of undulating Fife countryside make this annual
and fun together.
ride very popular, with over 1000 cyclists taking part to
raise funds for LEPRA. www.lepra.org.uk
Bike Week will this year have a commercial sponsor for the
first time, as Nokia Mobile Phones are supporting the week’s
22 June Two Capitals Ride
events. Bike Week also has a new charity partner, in the form Annabel Goldie MSP and Robin Harper MSP taking part in From the old capital city of Dunfermline to Edinburgh,
of Sport Relief, giving people an additional opportunity to the MSP Bike Ride in Bike Week 2007 this ride takes in historic locations, beautiful views and
support this great cause.
raises funds for bikes and cycle equipment for schools.
http://prenticeevents.com/
The new Bike Week Organiser’s Guide is out now and is In Scotland, Cycling Scotland will
available from the Bike Week website at again be supporting event organisers
22 June First Mini Monster
www.bikeweek.org.uk so anyone who wants to get involved and promoting the week’s activities as
Pollok Park Glasgow. First Mini Monster is a duathalon
and stage an event can get the full facts on the support from widely as possible in the press and
event aimed at getting families and groups of friends
Bike Week HQ and get ideas for different kinds of events to media. To find out how we can help
together to enjoy a day out of running and cycling fun
put on. and support your event, contact David
and help raise money for Save the Children.
Gilmour on 0141 229 5359 or at
www.firstmonster.co.uk
david@cyclingscotland.org
www.bikeweek.org.uk
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5. Cycling Scotland Cycling Scotland
Pedal for Scotland 2008
The ride is now an established
- registration open institution on the summer calendar
The biggest and best bike ride in Scotland
celebrates its tenth birthday this year, as Pedal for
Scotland returns on 14th September.
The ride attracted an amazing 4000 participants last year,
meaning its mass of riders has increased tenfold from the 400
riders who took part in the very first Pedal for Scotland just
nine years earlier. The ride is now an established institution
on the summer calendar of mass participation activities and
looks set to grow from strength to strength this year with a
flood of entries in already.
For anyone not familiar with the ride, Pedal for Scotland runs
from Glasgow to Edinburgh, taking a 50 mile route across the
country, along quiet B roads and cycle paths. Along the way
it takes in country parks, rural villages, stately homes, open
countryside, and is book-ended by Scotland’s two largest
cities. It’s ideal for a day out with the family, a workplace
challenge, a fundraiser, or as the end goal of a keep fit
regime.
Riders are well looked after throughout the ride, with
refreshment stops placed every ten or so miles along the
route providing water and snacks, plus the traditional free
pasta meal. Travel arrangements are also made easy with our
transport service, which takes you and your bike either to the
start or home from the finish line.
Bringing friends along not only makes the ride more fun, but
it can save you money too- register as a team of 4 and the
4th rider goes free. You can register for Pedal for Scotland
now at www.pedalforscotland.org
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secreatry for Health and Well-being Nicola Sturgeon
and Alastair Campbell at Pedal for Scotland 2007
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6. Cycling Scotland Cycling Scotland
South Ayrshire Council Etape Caledonia
became the first recipients in Scotland
of a complete on/off road cycle
win a National Transport network. Other works have included
cycle paths on the esplanade at Troon,
Over 2500 cyclists are expected
Award for cycle routes and designs for as yet unbuilt projects
in Prestwick.
to descend onto the picturesque
roads of the Scottish highlands
Cycling Scotland’s engineering consultancy Staff from the Council’s Transportation when Britain’s only closed-
Transport Planning and Engineering (TP&E) is section of the Department of road cycle challenge, the Etape
delighted to announce that their continued work Development, Safety and Regulation Caledonia, returns to Perthshire
in partnership with South Ayrshire Council has submitted their Local Cycle Feeder for a second year on Sunday surrounding. The route provides a stern but achievable
paid off, as the local authority has won a national Routes scheme for consideration for 18th May 2008. challenge for keen cyclists and novices alike leading cyclists
transport award for walking and cycling. the Scottish Transport Awards 2007.
through some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland.
South Ayrshire Council won the Scottish Transport Award This year the 81-mile course will
Councillor Peter Convery, the Council’s The Etape Caledonia has received a ringing endorsement
2007 Walking and Cycling Award. This award recognises start and finish in Pitlochry, winding
Portfolio Carrier for Sustainability and from Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Chris Hoy.
the council’s innovative and exciting work, that has led to an around Loch Rannoch and Loch
Environmental issues said: “To win a
extensive number of cycle and walking routes being created Tummel, including a steep hill-climb
national award of this calibre for the “I am delighted to support the Etape Caledonia 2008,
in South Ayrshire. up Scheihallion with a total ascent of
walking and cycling routes in South especially as it’s being held in my native Scotland! It’s a great
1,949m.
The Scottish Transport Awards 2007, which are supported Ayrshire is a tribute to the innovation, chance to cycle on closed roads, which is something you
by the Scottish Government, the Scottish Transport Studies dedication and determination of all the never usually get to do in the UK.”
Hosting spectacular scenery, a
Group, Transport Scotland, the Strathclyde Partnership staff involved in the project.
fantastic route and the added benefit
for Transport and Transport Times acknowledge real of no traffic to contend with, the Etape Entries are now open please visit
“Walking and cycling are
improvements to local transport. Caledonia gives cyclists the chance to wwww.etapecaledonia.co.uk or call the event office on
environmentally friendly and
experience closed roads in a superb 0871 384 9920 for more information.
TP&E has designed and oversaw construction of a number sustainable ways of travelling. The
of different cycling and walking routes in South Ayrshire. One network of routes can be enjoyed
of the most notable is the Burton to Alloway path, which the by people of all ages, whether they
TP&E team re-designed from its original use as a railway line, use them to travel to and from work,
to form a vital sustainable transport link. An extensive cycle during their leisure time or as a way of
network has also been installed in Ayr, while Girvan residents keeping fit.
“South Ayrshire Council’s Local
Transport Strategy recognises the need
to promote and encourage greater use
of sustainable transport. Scotland’s
National Transport Strategy prioritises
cycling, together with walking, as the
preferred method of transport, so it is
A cyclist samples South Ayrshire’s award winning very important to provide high quality
network with a trip on the Ayrshire Coast Cycleway facilities for cyclists and walkers.” The Etape Caledonia includes a hill-climb up Scheihallion (centre)
10 11

7. Cycling Scotland Cycling Scotland
Cycling Action Plan
The Transport Minister Stewart use the feedback from these events to focus the individual
Stevenson is backing the efforts of all delivery organisations and provide greater
development of a new Cycling shared direction to integrate cycling into everyday life.
Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS)
to galvanise efforts to get more The plan will map activity, identify opportunities for partnership,
people cycling more often. encourage organisations to commit to outcomes for cycling
delivery, and set targets to monitor progress. The Action
During the summer, members of the Plan will become a dynamic strategy and is an excellent
public and stakeholder organisations opportunity to co-ordinate the work of national agencies such
will be invited to take part in a number as Scottish Natural Heritage and Sustrans, public transport
of participatory events to help set operators, health and education authorities, planning and
the priorities for the project. The roads authorities, private businesses and central and local
CAPS board, which comprises 12 key government.
First Mini Monster
partners and is chaired by Cycling
Scotland Chief Executive Erl Wilkie, will The completed Action Plan will be published early next year.
The countdown is on to enter First Mini Monster,
the first duathlon of its kind in Scotland aimed at
the Grand Slam winner, British Lions
captain and best full-back of his
National Assessment 2008
families and friends of all ages to raise money for generation. He issued a rallying call
The National Assessment of
FirstGroup’s charity partners, Save the Children. for entries to First Mini Monster. Gavin,
local authorities is on the verge
who is planning to compete in the
of completion, and is set to
Hosted by FirstGroup, First Mini Monster is a spin-off from Glasgow event with his wife Diane and
provide a new overview of the
the First Monster Challenge, the 120km team duathlon two children Adam, 11, and Holly, nine,
standard of cycling provision in
(cycling and running) around the shores of Loch Ness which said: “FirstGroup is putting on fantastic
every region of Scotland.
was launched last year and returns on 13 September. events throughout the country.’’
Building on the work done for the
The First Mini Monster - on Sunday 22 June - will be a more To register or for more information
original National Assessment project
genteel event with the choice of two fun challenges suitable about the First Mini Monster Challenges
in 2005, the new report will show how
for all fitness levels. The first is aimed at families and friends and the First Monster Challenge log
local authorities throughout the country Initial analysis of the results show positive signs of
and will see participants either run 1.5km or cycle 5km and on to www.firstmonster.com
set cycling policy, assess user needs, improvement in several areas, and Cycling Scotland is
the second is an adult race of either 3km run or 10km cycle.
plan, design and build infrastructure, working hard to finalise the findings for publication in May
Both are designed for teams of four, with each member
provide training and promote cycling 2008. The full report and individual reports for each local
completing one run or one bike section of the course.
to local people. Crucially, it will show authority area will be available as a physical document on
what improvements have been made request from Cycling Scotland, and digital versions will be
Pictured (above) with local school children is Gavin Hastings,
since the first report 3 years ago. available to download from the Cycling Scotland website.
12 13

8. Cycling Scotland Cycling Scotland
Scottish Cyclist breaks world record
for cycling round the world
A Scottish cyclist has broken a 18,000 miles. Flying time was not counted but the stopwatch
world record for cycling around started ticking as soon as the bike had cleared customs. The
the world, as Fife man Mark former record holder was another Briton, Steve Strange, who
Beaumont cycled over 18,000 in 2004-5 cycled 18,424 miles in 276 days, 19 hours and 15
miles in just 195 days. Beaumont minutes.
became the Guinness World
Record holder for the title Mr. Beaumont smashed that by almost three months, arriving
of fastest person ever to exactly on time, after cycling a gruelling 100 miles a day on
cycle around the world, after a bike weighing 100 kilos (220lbs), with a day off every two
circumnavigating the globe on weeks. A low point was travelling 800 miles through Pakistan-
a journey that took him through administered parts of the lawless Baluchistan province,
20 countries and numerous where he was given a police escort by day and locked up by
brushes with trouble. night in police cells for his own safety.
Finishing his journey at the Arc de He lost a stone. But, he said he made some “amazing
Triomphe in Paris, Beaumont was friendships” along the way, and had time to take in some
greeted by family and friends, and amazing sights.
the world’s media, with whom he
shared some stories of his trip. He Mr. Beaumont’s cycling bug began early. At the age of 12 he
suffered water poisoning in Iran and cycled across Scotland, but only after his mother persuaded
food poisoning in Pakistan, and was him that Land’s End to John o’ Groats was too far. To prepare
knocked off his bike three times - by for his record bid, in 2006 he pedalled from Warsaw to the
Mugged in His position was updated every two hours on his website
via satellite.
Arctic Circle.
a donkey in Pakistan, a motorbike in
India and in Florida by an old woman
Louisiana, locked
in a car. After initial saddles sores, his body soon got accustomed to up by police in Mr. Beaumont was congratulated by Prince William, who is
Mugged in Louisiana, locked up by the daily routine, but mentally there were tough moments. Pakistan, and patron of Tusk, one of the charities he raised money for. He
police in Pakistan, and nearly washed nearly washed has already raised around £5,000 but expects to make at
least another £10,000 now that he has crossed the finishing
“Then it’s just a case of getting through the next hours, or
away by torrential rains in Thailand, Mr.
Beaumont, 25, said he “never felt like minutes. In easier times you can lengthen your focus to the
away by torrential line.
giving up”. end of a country. It’s all about mind games” Mark said. “There
, rains in Thailand,
were long stretches where I didn’t speak to anyone and had Mr. Beaumont, 25, Mr. Beaumont said he was not sure what to do next: “It’s
To beat the previous Guinness World no contact. I took a lot of strength from the fact that a lot of
said he ‘never felt really a blank canvas now. You’ll have to ask me that next in a
few days. I intend to sleep for about a fortnight.”
people were watching a little dot on a GPS map and knew
Record, the politics graduate from
Newburgh, Fife, had to cycle at least where I was” he said.
,
like giving up’
14 15

9. Written by Andrew Pankhurst and Ian Aitken
Cycling Scotland Lindsay Brunton and Clare Benjamin.
For a PDF in larger text
email andrewpankhurst@cyclingscotland.org
CTC appeal to women cyclists with
“5 Miles to Fabulous” rides
The Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) has launched a
new series of rides to attract women riders into
their organisation.
After over 100 years in existence, the CTC is well established
to spot trends in cycling, and one trend that has long been
overwhelmingly obvious is that cycling is a male dominated
pastime. To address this, the CTC has developed 5 Miles to
Fabulous, a series of short women only rides. The central
idea is to tap into the female disposition towards staying in
shape, by pairing that with the fun aspect of group bikes
rides, to make exercise something that is more enjoyable and
social than your average session on the treadmill.
A CTC spokesperson commented: “Women have an
influential role in the travel decisions of the family, and this
can lead to an increase in family cycling, including children
cycling to school and partners commuting to work. This
is a good opportunity for groups, cycle trainers and local
authorities to publicise their cycle activities and services in
this often hard to reach sector.
“Five miles to Fabulous is targeted at women who have a
basic level of cycling competency, but haven’t cycled for
many years and/or lack confidence and need a motivator to
help them get back on the bike. This is created through a
supportive, friendly atmosphere, amongst likeminded peers,
with an experienced cycle leader to develop skills and give
advice and encouragement.”
The CTC are looking for more event organisers across the
country, to provide as many opportunities as possible for
women to take part and get cycling. Want to know how to
organise a Five Miles to Fabulous event? Go to
www.fivemilestofabulous.co.uk
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