Pedal for Scotland’s 18th year promises to be the best yet
Scotland’s biggest bike event, Pedal for Scotland, will celebrate its 18th year in 2016 and promises to be bigger and better than ever with exciting new finish line and event village.
The annual Glasgow to Edinburgh bike ride, which regularly attracts 10,000 riders, is back for its 18thyear on 11 September 2016.
Marking the occasion were STV weatherman, Sean Batty, and Heart Breakfast presenters Robin Galloway and Adele Cunningham who pledged their commitment to completing the 46 mile ride in September.
Pedal for Scotland, organised by Cycling Scotland and funded by Transport Scotland, offers rides suitable for all ages and abilities. Riders can take part in the iconic 46 mile Glasgow to Edinburgh Classic Challenge, the epic 112 mile Big Belter or the family friendly Wee Jaunt Edinburgh which takes in the final 10 miles of the Classic Challenge route. Setting off from Glasgow Green, several rest stops along the way, including the famous home baking at Avonbridge and lunch in the stunning grounds of Linlithgow Palace, provide ample opportunity to rest and refuel.
All three rides will finish in the prestigious Royal Highland Centre where participants can relax and unwind in the event village or simply catch up with friends and family to enjoy the festival atmosphere.
Sean said, "I've taken on lots of cycling challenges to raise money for STV Children's Appeal and in September I'll be back in the saddle for Pedal for Scotland.
“I'm pulling out all the stops for the Appeal this year and all going well I'll clock up 169 miles by cycling, walking and running to help Scotland's children and young people. Pedal for Scotland will be one of my biggest challenges so I'll be getting plenty of training in over the next few months.
“Here's hoping for a great day with some good cycling weather and the wind at our backs!”
Robin said, “As a committed cyclist, Pedal For Scotland can't come quick enough. It's simply the best cycling participation event in the calendar. The family atmosphere, generous along-route-hospitality and team spirit amongst riders is hard to beat. This will be my fourth Classic Challenge and this year I'm delighted to be joined by my Heart Breakfast partner Adele, who'll be pulling on her padded cycling shorts for the very first time.”
Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands said, "The Scottish Government is once again delighted to support Pedal for Scotland as it grows in strength both in terms of popularity and participants.
"Gathering around 10,000 participants, year on year, is a clear indicator of the efforts made by organisers Cycling Scotland and their partners, to deliver a spectacular event.
“Reports have shown Pedal for Scotland makes a significant economic contribution. With over £1million drawn in transport, accommodation and cost of cycle equipment in 2014 alone, plus up to £2 million more through health economic benefits, it is clear embracing an active and healthy lifestyle is well worth the effort.”
Keith Irving, chief executive of event organisers, Cycling Scotland said, “Pedal for Scotland is for anyone to enjoy cycling on the day and to keep cycling for everyday journeys. The event has come a long way since its humble beginnings back in 1999 and this, the event’s 18th year, will be bigger and better than ever before. We are delighted to announce a new finishing venue for 2016 in the Royal Highland Centre where large numbers of finishers can celebrate with friends and family. This new venue, synonymous with Scotland’s capital, will let us celebrate in style as we bring a fun festival atmosphere to the finishers’ village.”
Participants of Pedal for Scotland can raise money for children and young people in Scotland affected by poverty by supporting the STV Children’s Appeal, who return as the event’s official charity partner. Last year participants raised over £112,000 for the Appeal, with this year’s total aiming to be even higher.
The Pedal for Scotland Classic Challenge, Big Belter and Wee Jaunt Edinburgh and will all be held on Sunday 11 September. Register online at www.pedalforscotland.org.
Communications Officer
vicky@cycling.scot
07701 289257
1. Pedal for Scotland
Pedal for Scotland is organised by Cycling Scotland, the lead organisation for cycling promotion in Scotland. Cycling Scotland, with grant funding from Transport Scotland, promotes cycling as a healthy lifestyle choice, a sustainable transport mode and as a significant contributor to Scotland’s tourism economy. Cycling Scotland is fully committed to playing a central role in assisting the Scottish Government and its partners and stakeholders to achieve the vision set out in the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland. Cycling Scotland also deliver Bikeability Scotland which is like the modern day cycling proficiency, with a few differences. Bikeability Scotland is designed to give children the skills and confidence they need to cycle safely on today’s roads. Visit www.cycling.scot for more details.
Cycling Scotland is a recognised Scottish Charity no. SC 029760.
2. Pedal for Scotland was established in 1999 as a way to encourage more people to cycle. Cycling around 50 miles in a day demonstrates the considerable distances it is possible to achieve by bike, and encourages people to leave the car at home for short journeys.
3. Pedal for Scotland event is delivered in partnership with 8 local authorities and support services such as Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and the St Andrews Ambulance Association.
4. Transport Scotland
Transport Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national transport agency responsible for aviation, bus, freight and taxi policy; coordinating the National Transport Strategy for Scotland; ferries, ports and harbours; impartial travel services; liaising with regional transport partnerships, including monitoring of funding; local roads policy; major public transport projects; national concessionary travel schemes; rail and trunk road networks; sustainable transport, road safety and accessibility, and the Blue Badge Scheme. Transport Scotland is an Executive agency accountable to Scottish Ministers. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/
5. STV Children’s Appeal
The STV Children’s Appeal is committed to helping children and young people affected by poverty in Scotland. The money raised by the STV Children’s Appeal helps make a real difference in the lives of Scotland’s children and young people by providing practical help like food and warm clothes; creating opportunities for training and employability; and enabling social and emotional support for those who need it most.
In its first four years the Appeal has raised over £8.2 million. This has allowed us to make 297 big and small grants to projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, providing much needed support to over 37,000 children.
The charity was launched in 2011 by The Hunter Foundation and STV. In 2013, The Wood Foundation pledged its support to the Appeal for projects in the North East.
Every single penny raised by the STV Children’s Appeal stays in Scotland and 100% of donations are spent on the children who need it most, as all overheads are met by STV and The Hunter Foundation. In 2015, the Scottish Government once again committed to match fund the first £1m raised.
STV Children’s Appeal fundraising packs can be downloaded from www.stv.tv/appeal.
STV Appeal SCIO SC042429
6. Heart
Heart is the UK’s biggest commercial radio network with nine million listeners. Under the strapline ‘more music variety’, Heart plays familiar feel good music that listeners love, from artists like Bruno Mars, Olly Murs, Pharrell, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Robbie Williams and Take That. Heart presenters include Emma Willis, Stephen Mulhern, Jamie Theakston, Emma Bunton, Jenni Falconer, Jason Donovan and Mark Wright. In February 2016, brand new station Heart extra launched bringing Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Emma to the whole country and playing non-stop feel good music throughout the day. Heart is available on 96-107 FM, DAB digital radio, at heart.co.uk, on the Heart app, on Sky channel 0111, Freesat channel 733 and Freeview channel 728. Source: RAJAR / Ipsos-MORI / RSMB, period ending 3rd April 2016.
7. Daily Record
The Daily Record and Sunday Mail joined forces with Scottish and Universal Newspapers in late 2011 to create the nation's biggest publishing business: Media Scotland.
The Record and Mail, along with S&UN's market leading portfolio of local titles, including the Ayrshire Post and Stirling Observer, reach 1.5million readers every weekday and 1.1million readers on a Sunday.
Together with our commercial websites, including Road Record and ScotCareers, we command a digital audience of 3.4million unique users online a month (figure for May, 2012).
Media Scotland's newspapers and websites are read by two out of three Scots.
The Daily Record and Sunday Mail are published by Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd and are part of Trinity Mirror plc, the UK's largest newspaper publisher.
Registered office: Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd, One Central Quay, Glasgow G3 8DA.
8. Sustrans
Sustrans is a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.
Sustrans works with communities, policy-makers and partner organisations so that people can choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys and enjoy better, safer spaces to live in. All over the UK, we make a positive difference to people's lives.
Sustrans helps people think about and change the travel choices they make. Through our work to create better walking and cycling links, including the National Cycle Network, they provide the space to make sure sustainable travel is not just a choice: it's the most obvious and convenient option.
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