In its first full year of operation, Clyde Cycle Park has achieved national recognition for its cycle training in the community by winning the Recreational Cycling Award at the Scottish Cycling AGM and National Awards Ceremony at Crieff Hydro on 25 November 2023.
The Recreational Cycling Award is, in the words of Scottish Cycling, “rewarded to those that go above and beyond to make the recreational part of our sport successful”. Clyde Cycle Park was one of three shortlisted nominees considered to have “made a large impact in their area over the past year, from getting children or adults on to bikes, to organising events and everything in between”.
Carol Thompson, Project Coordinator of Clyde Cycle Park (CCP), who stepped up to received the award on behalf of CCP, said:
“I am absolutely delighted to have the hard work, effort and commitment of all the volunteers, staff and participants recognised by Scottish Cycling and Sport Scotland. Not just the new team this year, but the people behind the scenes who have got the Park to the stage it is today.
“Clyde Cycle Park has grown so much in the last nine months, has already had a huge impact on many families, and the next year is going to be a really exciting time as we develop even more. The bike is the tool we use to grow smiles, and we have one for everyone.”
Since starting regular coaching in early 2023, Clyde Cycle Park has been running regular weekly sessions for children, young people and adults, providing basic training, skills development and guided rides. Special sessions have been provided for men’s peer groups, women’s confidence-building, schools Bikeability and elderly cyclists.
In this first year, all of the cycling has been provided free of charge, through support provided by Scottish Cycling, Awards for All, Paths for All and the VASLan Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund. CCP have recently been acquiring adapted bikes and trikes to provide courses for people with physical, sensory and learning difficulties.
John Bachtler, Chair of Clyde Cycle Park said:
“This is award is fantastic recognition of the work by our great Project Coordinator, Carol Thompson, our excellent team of coaches, the many wonderful volunteers who have been helping us build Clyde Cycle Park in Cambuslang, and our Trustees and Advisers. Many of the young people who have been learning to ride or improve their skills at the Park wouldn’t have had the opportunity otherwise, especially those taking part in the Rock Up and Ride programme we are delivering on behalf of Scottish Cycling.
“This week is special not just for the Recreational Cycling Award, but also because one of our superb volunteers, Duncan Stark, received the VASLan Community Champion Award 2023 this week in recognition of his unsung contributions to Clyde Cycle Park and other community activities like Cambuslang Community Council, Cambuslang in Bloom and Cambuslang JogScotland.
“This shows how much Clyde Cycle Park is a project by the community and for the community. We hope that many others will feel similarly inspired to join us in taking forward this great project.”