A £1 million fund has been made available to fund and deliver sustainable cycling projects and events in Scotland. A Community Cycling Fund – created by sportscotland, EventScotland and the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships – is designed to celebrate cycling. It will enable community cycling projects and events to be developed and launched.

The investment is part of a campaign to focus on the benefits of cycling in 2023 as Glasgow and Scotland gear up to host the biggest cycling event by engaging new audiences to participate in organised and inclusive cycling activity and events.

The first opportunity – the Development Strand – will be administered by sportscotland with up to £350,000 per year invested direct to local authorities. The second opportunity – the Events strand – will be administered by EventScotland who will award up to £160,000 per year for events and festivals through an open fund.

EventScotland is currently accepting expressions of interest for the Events strand, with applicants able to apply for awards between £5,000 and £15,000 for events taking place from August 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.  The EOI form is available to download here and must be submitted by 5pm on June 20, 2022.

Activity eligible for support though the Events strand includes enhancing existing events with new cycling opportunities that promote the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships; cycling innovations which develop, enhance, or grow cycling participation and/or the event; activity and events which provide local communities the opportunity to celebrate the power of the bike and take part in cycling; and costs supporting sustainable practices as part of a wider event

Robbie Clyde, head of EventScotland, said: “Events are more than just great entertainment, they are an opportunity to bring wider societal benefits by helping build a sense of pride while also making a valuable contribution towards our health and wellbeing.

“The Community Cycling Fund will offer everyone the chance to experience the joy riding a bike can bring to their everyday lives in a fun and safe environment while also creating a lasting benefit from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.”

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will create sporting history in August 2023 with 13 existing UCI Cycling World Championships brought together for the first time to create one mega-event. With more than 2,600 athletes competing from around 120 countries, an expected one million spectators and more than one billion viewers worldwide, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be one of the top 10 sporting events on the planet.