Cyclist Lusia ‘has put Renfrewshire on the map’

An Erskine cyclist has been formally congratulated by Renfrewshire councillors following her success at the European Track Championships in Bulgaria, writes Steph Brawn, local democracy reporter.

Councillor James MacLaren highlighted Lusia Steele’s achievement of winning a podium place in the women’s team sprint event at the latest virtual meeting of the full council.

Lusia coaches the Johnstone Jets cycling club for children and was an apprentice with Renfrewshire Leisure before joining up with Team GB.

The Conservative man also used the opportunity to push council officials to produce an update on plans for a 1km closed road cycle circuit at the On-X Sports Centre in Linwood, which received approval at the council’s leadership board in September last year.

“Lusia has really put this area on the map through her success in Bulgaria and I was delighted to highlight her success,”said Councillor MacLaren.

“She is doing terrific work with Johnstone Jets cycling club and we must look at ways in which the club can be enhanced.

“That is why it is so disappointing the club has heard nothing to take forward plans for a cycle circuit at the sport centre in Linwood. This was approved more than a year ago.

“Funding is there from Sport Scotland and the council must not waste this opportunity.”

Sport Scotland recently announced its £8million Cycling Facilities Fund, which aims to support projects from all areas of the country.

Councillor MacLaren requested his comments be added to a motion by Councillor Andy Doig, which heaped praise on Giro D’Italia winner Teo Geoghegan Hart - the first Scot to win a major European stage race - and urged education bosses to look at how schoolkids could make more use of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.

Officers are expected to produce a detailed report on plans for an On-X cycling circuit at the next“appropriate” board meeting.