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Pedal for Scotland ends after 20 years

This news post is over 4 years old
 

The Glasgow to Edinburgh cycling challenge has raised millions of pounds for charity since starting in 1999

A charity cycling challenge has come to an end after two decades.

The last Pedal for Scotland cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh took place on Sunday (8 September), having helped raised millions of pounds for charity.

Organisers said the only closed-road cycle between Scotland’s two biggest cities had more than achieved its goals: encouraging more people to cycle, raising the profile of cycling in Scotland and providing a platform for raising millions of pounds for good causes.

Cycling Scotland has said it will now focus on shorter, local and free events in an effort to help more people enjoy cycling, regardless of income.

Thousands took part in this year’s event, with the challenge having grown in recent years to encompass three different distances: the Classic Challenge Glasgow-to-Edinburgh ride, the Big Belter (a 100-mile sportive) and a 10-mile Wee Jaunt between Linlithgow and Edinburgh. Participants and organisers were however left saddened by the death of participant Colin Anderson, who fell ill while cycling near Falkirk.

More than 100,000 people have taken part in all events since 1999 and organisers thanked everyone who has taken part and supported the challenge.

Cycling Scotland chief executive, Keith Irving, said: “After 20 years, now feels like the right time to take a new, community-focussed, Scotland-wide, approach to encourage bike-riding and remove barriers to taking part in cycling events.

“There are many more cycling events now than when Pedal for Scotland began in 1999 and that is an important part of its legacy. Pedal for Scotland has inspired tens of thousands of people in Scotland to cycle, as well as paving the way for cycling events to become more mainstream.

“We are now looking forward to the next stage: supporting shorter, inclusive and free events across the nation to extend the benefits into more communities in every part of Scotland, helping increase the use of the newly emerging cycling infrastructure in many places.”

 

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William Harrison
7 months ago

Why pedal of Scotland 2023 not going this year Glasgow to Edinburgh

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