The South of Scotland’s efforts to become one of the world’s leading cycling destinations has been recognised with a nomination for a global award.
The South has been shortlisted for the inaugural UCI Cycling for All & Sustainability Awards in the UCI Bike City Category.
The submission – entitled Unlocking the Power of the Bike – follows the South of Scotland becoming the first region in Scotland to achieve the UCI Bike Region Label last year. The Label recognises the commitment to both elite cycling competition and cycling for all.
The South will go up against Copenhagen in Denmark, and Wollongong in Australia for the award, which will be announced by the UCI during the 2024 UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum taking place on 18 and 19 December in Abu Dhabi.
The submission was made by the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership, which is made up of a series of local and national organisations representing thousands of people across the region.
Achievements by the Partnership since being formed in 2022 have included:
· Launch of the 10-year South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy, which aims to make the region one of the leading cycling destinations in the world
· Gaining UCI Bike Region Label
· Hosting three events at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, which attracted over 65million broadcast viewers from across the globe
· Official launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C, South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast cycle route which offers 250 miles of uninterrupted joy for experienced cyclists from Stranraer to Eyemouth
· Development and opening of a number of active travel paths
· Development of the River Tweed Trail - a source to sea walking and cycling route from Moffat to Berwick-Upon-Tweed
· South of Scotland Cycling Infrastructure Fund which supported 30 tourism businesses, social enterprises and organisations to improve their facilities for visiting cyclists taking part in the Kirkpatrick C2C, or riding the 7Stanes trail centres
· Hosting of significant national events such as the Mountain Biking Innovation & Technology Summit in 2023 and Scottish Mountain Bike Conference in November 2024.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:
“The UCI Cycling World Championships shone a global spotlight on Scotland and our strong reputation for hosting international events.
“The South of Scotland played a pivotal role in delivering an event, which continues to have far-reaching economic and social benefits.
“This nomination for this award is deserved recognition of the effort and partnership working that went into delivering the Championships and showcasing the South of Scotland as a go-to destination for major outdoor events.”
Councillor Maureen Johnstone, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education, Skills and Wellbeing Committee said:
“Cycling is vital to the short and long-term economy of our region.
“We have a fantastic track record of hosting world class cycling events and playing our part in this award nomination is something we are very proud of here in Dumfries and Galloway, and will continue to build on this in the future.”
Councillor Lynne Davis, Vice Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education, Skills and Wellbeing Committee said:
“The South of Scotland in particular plays host to wonderful cycling infrastructure, be it on roads, in forests or on gravel.
“We will keep our fingers crossed for a win in this prestigious award, but we already feel like winners here in our region, thanks to the wonderful cycling offer we provide.”
Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said:
“To be shortlisted for this award is fantastic recognition for all the partners involved in developing and delivering against the South of Scotland Cycling Strategy.
“We are just two years in to the 10-year strategy and yet there is already much to look back on with pride, both across the whole of the region and within the Scottish Borders specifically.
“This includes being one of just nine areas to provide full delivery of the Bikeability Scotland programme to primary six school pupils and the Borders hosting full stages of the Tour of Britain in both 2022 and 2024.
“Through our continued work together we can deliver transformative change for our region, our residents and our business by unlocking the power of the bike.”
Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said:
“The UCI award nomination acknowledges the exceptional contribution that partners, businesses and community groups across the South have made to increasing the positive social and environmental impacts which cycling provides to our region.
“We want cycling to become the most popular choice for shorter, everyday journeys by 2032 in the South, and this nomination highlights the progress being made to achieving our collective goal.”
David Hope-Jones, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, said:
“With the UCI Championships last year and the launch of the Kirkpatrick Coast 2 Coast cycling route earlier this year, it’s not hard to see why the South of Scotland has become a bucket list location for cycling enthusiasts across the globe.
“From our award-winning 7stanes mountain biking trails in Glentress to our 250-miles of scenic road cycling through the region’s rolling landscapes, there really is something for everyone.
“The UCI award nomination is a sign of the incredible progress being made in establishing the South of Scotland not only as a bike friendly region, but as a world leading cycling destination.
“The South of Scotland is the home of the pedal bicycle, and we’re hugely proud of all of the fantastic businesses and communities honouring that legacy.”
Gordon Smith, Destination Development Director at VisitScotland, said:
“Cycling is a key part of the South of Scotland’s visitor offering and this nomination not only reflects the achievements of the partnership but will enhance the region’s reputation as a world-class cycling destination.”