A £1.25m world-class community outdoor cycling circuit which was built to promote and encourage grassroots cycling and improve physical and mental health has been officially opened.
The West Lothian Cycle Circuit, which has been supported by the likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Katie Archibald and Ben Rowlings is a 10 year vision from the local community who were at the heart of its inception.
Delivered with investment from the Cycling Facilities Fund, the 1km traffic-free, tarmac circuit made up of four loops is fenced and floodlit for safe all year round use.
Linlithgow Community Development Trust (LCDT) has created the circuit to support both professional cyclists - it is being offered as a training facility for athletes coming to Glasgow and Scotland for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Cycling Championships this August - and the local community.
It’s taken just over a year to build the circuit in south-east Linlithgow, but it’s been over a decade in the planning after LCDT first conceived the plan at community consultation in 2012.
Carole Racionzer, chair of LCDT, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be opening the West Lothian Cycle Circuit in Linlithgow after so many years of campaigning and fundraising. We’re really excited to be welcoming professional cyclists to Linlithgow but equally thrilled the local community will have this exceptional asset to support people learning to cycle and to cycle safely.
“It will be used to promote active travel and a range of different sports, such as triathlon, skating and running. This has been a true partnership between so many organisations, including our main funders West Lothian Council and sportscotland.”
Keen amateur cyclist Matthew Ball whose vision and determination has been behind the project said: “I could not be prouder of this moment. This will be a game changer for cycling in the region. We wanted to build a community around the circuit and make it a cycling hub. Cycling Club West Lothian Clarion and other local clubs will organise races and coaching sessions for adults and youngsters, so Linlithgow will be a real hotspot for cycling.’
Sports Minister Maree Todd said “I’m delighted to celebrate the opening of this latest investment into the West Lothian Cycle Circuit which will support the local community to be active and hopefully encourage more people to give cycling a try.
“With only a few months to go until the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, it is great to see the Cycling Facilities Fund continue to contribute to a long-lasting active legacy, helping people to improve their physical, mental and social health through cycling.”
The public are welcome to attend the opening from 11am and there are also Cycle beginner coaching sessions in the morning which can be booked into via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-lothian-cycle-circuit-launch-free-coaching-sessions-tickets-634572703037
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