Belford gets on bike for worksite funding
Fort William’s Belford Hospital is one of more than 60 worksites across Scotland which will benefit from more than £600,000 being handed out to employers by Cycling Scotland from the Cycle Friendly Development Fund
The cash will be used to promote cycling as a healthy, sustainable and accessible way to travel to work.
The Cycle Friendly Development Fund, delivered by Cycling Scotland with funding from Transport Scotland, will be used for projects that encourage staff and visitors to travel by bike.
This will include upgrading workplace amenities, such as changing areas, showers and drying facilities; buying bikes to support a bike pool or hire fleet; setting up maintenance areas and buying cycling tools; installing cycle parking and upgrading minor workplace specific pedestrian/cyclist access routes, including signage.
As a result, more tan 52,000 employees, including those at the Belford Hospital, the Oban-based Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scottish Canals, National Library of Scotland, Glasgow Airport and Scouts Scotland, can look forward to a range of funded initiatives including showers, repair stations, ‘Dr Bike’ maintenance sessions, hairdryers and safe cycle parking.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson MSP said: ‘There are many environmental and health benefits that can be gained simply by choosing to cycle, and this funding will help reduce some of the local barriers that exist and encourage active travel.
‘This support will progress our vision to develop an Active Nation, where more people choose to walk and cycle than ever before, by providing additional amenities to more than 52,000 workers across Scotland.’
And Katharine Brough, head of behaviour change at Cycling Scotland, added: ‘Cycling has so many benefits and creates a healthier and happier workforce and we work closely with our partners to help employers and other organisations encourage and support cycling.’
Dr Tom Wilding, from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) outside Oban, said: ‘As a keen cyclist and environmental researcher, I am thrilled that Cycling Scotland will be helping us make much-needed improvements to the facilities for our cycling community.
‘We have more than 300 people working and studying on our very beautiful campus, and already a good number of us cycle regularly to SAMS as public transport is limited.
‘Better facilities – especially changing/drying rooms – will encourage more of our staff, students and visitors to cycle and for the cycling culture to become more firmly embedded in our workplace.’