Major new cycle routes planned across the city
NEW cycling routes will be created in Glasgow to make it easier for people walk and cycle as part of their everyday journeys.
Glasgow City Council has been awarded over £500,000 to create the routes from active travel charity Sustrans Scotland.
The money will be put towards creating a path connecting Knightswood Park with National Cycle Network Route 7, which runs along the River Clyde, and Route 754, which runs alongside the Forth and Clyde Canal.
As Knightswood Park will be hosting the BMX event in the 2018 European Championships, it is hoped that improved cycle infrastructure along the key routes to the park will encourage residents, visitors and spectators to the city to use active forms of travel.
A segregated cycle path will also be built to connect Speirs Wharf and the Forth and Clyde Glasgow National Cycle Network Route and the cycle routes at the eastend of Glasgow, through the Sighthill regeneration master plans.
The traffic-free path will improve the route from the future Mini Holland, Cowcaddens and the ‘Metal Petals’ underpass to Port Dundas to the east of the City Centre, over the proposed new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the M8.
The project forms part of the multimillion pound regeneration projects of Port Dundas by Glasgow City Council which will see 600 new homes and commercial spaces created.
A total of 44 organisations including, local authorities, housing associations, National Parks and Community Trusts are set to be awarded grants, from the Sustrans Scotland administered Community Links programme, which is funded by Transport Scotland.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “We are committed to increasing active travel rates and have invested more than £100m in the Community Links programme since 2010, providing grant funding for over 700 cycling and walking projects.
“The applications received this year show real enthusiasm to deliver improved and innovative plans to deliver environments that encourage more walking and cycling for shorter journeys.”
Avid cyclists across Glasgow are are being encouraged to take part in the European Cycling Challenge with just 12 days until the finish. The “Glasgow City Region”, which includes various local authorities, is currently pedalling to the top of leaderboard and looking for a final push from fellow cyclists.