Published 19 June 2023
Thousands of kids and adults enjoyed a fun-filled day of cycling this weekend at the Council’s Community Cycling Event.
The free event, run with support from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond Shores, hosted activities including guided cycle rides around Balloch Park, bike checks and servicing from Dr Bike, e-bike taster sessions and a mini pump track for young visitors to try out their skills.
Visitors also enjoyed entertainment from Lomond Radio, a clown unicyclist and face painting.
The event is part of the local build up to the 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships, which is coming to West Dunbartonshire in August.
Around 200 local school children were invited to take part in the activities on Friday before the event opened to the public on Saturday and Sunday, drawing crowds of around 8000.
Visitors ranged from toddlers using balance bikes, to adults in their late 80s enjoying a scenic cycle.
Councillor David McBride, Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, visited the event on Friday.
He said: “It was a fantastic sight to see so many kids and adults enjoying being on their bikes, and even better, seeing children who didn’t feel confident on a bike get support and reassurance from coaches to help them get going.
“This was the perfect warm up for the area hosting two race starts for The Championships later this year, and a great example of the legacy an event of this type will leave in our area.
“I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend, and is feeling inspired to get on their bike more over the summer.”
Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, added: “The positive impact of the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds is already being seen with this community event about all things bike, which has given our communities a kick start on their bikes and will hopefully inspire them to get moving more now and in the future.”
The Community Cycling Weekend event was supported by EventScotland through the Community Cycling Fund.