Budding cyclists from across West Lothian will soon be racing to a new cycle facility at Crofthead Community Centre.
The new bike training facility aims to allow young people and those with disabilities to learn to ride their bikes in a safe and enclosed environment.
The facility will be managed by the Bike Library who will deliver training sessions.
West Lothian Council oversaw the project on behalf of the partnership of the Community Centre Management Committee and WL Bike Library who secured funding through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme funding.
Some £350,000 was awarded which funded the creation of the new bike facility, demolition of old buildings and the creation of designs for a new multi-purpose hall.
The new facility was officially opened today with representatives from various groups in attendance.
The facility was opened by 19-year-old Brogan McKerrral who started using the Bike Library as a 13 year-old.
Brogan, who is now 19, was a pupil at Cedarbank and is now studying at West Lothian College.
The new facility is perfect for adapted bikes to help assist disabled young people learn to cycle.
However anyone looking for a safe and purpose built training facility can use it.
The facility is run by West Lothian Bike Library who provide a number of training courses and work closely with local schools, including Cedarbank and Ogilvie Schools, who are both special needs schools.
In partnership with Cycling Scotland, Cycling UK & SEStran GO eBike the Bike Library offers a range of training and services all aimed at promoting Active Travel and Inclusiveness in Cycling.
David Liddell from West Lothian Bike Library said: “It’s fantastic to have new facility opened and ready for use.
“This facility will help generations of young people and adults learn how to ride their bikes safely and promote active travel for all.”
Executive councillor for Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building, Kirsteen Sullivan added: “It’s wonderful to see so many smiling faces at the opening today.
“You can see how much this will mean to everyone and it’s fantastic that our allocation from the Place Based Investment Programme has had such a positive impact on the community.”
West Lothian’s allocation of the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme funding in 2021/22 was £1,302,000 and £1,132,000 in 2022/23. Various community bids have been made to the council for a share of the allocation.
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