Go on... get on your bike

More than £19,000 has been given to an environmental group to encourage cycling in Renfrewshire.

Local Energy Action Plan ( LEAP) has been given £ 19,600 from the Scottish Government’s Cycle Friendly Community Development Fund.

The fund supports projects using bikes to bring different and diverse communities together.

LEAP plans to use the cash to buy an e- bike, parking equipment and sessional costs involved in setting up a pool bike scheme.

It expects the scheme will work in a similar way to its car club where people rent out one of the electric cars parked in Linwood, Lochwinnoch and Bridge of Weir.

More than £ 330,000 has been given out to 28 groups across Scotland via the fund.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “It ’ s encouraging to see a range of organisations across Scotland seeking to use cycling to bring communities together.

“There are so many personal and environmental benefits that come with choosing to cycle.

“By continuing to fund innovative projects like this, we can continue to build an active nation, where more people and communities can enjoy the many benefit of walking and cycling.”

Pete Mills, development officer at Cycling Scotland, added: “From projects that support ment a l health to those that tackle homelessness, the funding will support the purchase of bikes, equipment and maintenance tools as well as provide training and promote projects locally.

“We’re excited to give more people across Scotland access to bikes and the opportunity to cycle.”