Cash to help cycling programmes in Glasgow has been allocated to almost 30 community groups.

The Go Cycle Glasgow Fund of £160,000 is aimed at initiatives that encourage and promote cycling for recreation, sport and active travel.

A total of 29 groups across the city were given up to a maximum of £10,000 for their projects.

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Priority for funding has been given to those working with young people, women, people with disabilities, low-income families and ethnic minorities.

Cash has been awarded to cover the cost of cycling equipment, storage, training, safety equipment.

Those receiving funding include Glasgow Tandem Club, which offers opportunities for people with sight loss to take part in cycling with a sighted pilot at the front of the tandem.

Glasgow Times:

The group holds two organised runs per month of up to 35 miles.

It will use the money it gets to buy two more tandems and provide specialist mechanical support to maintain a safe tandem fleet.

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Castlemilk Youth Complex (CYC) will be able to develop its ‘Cyclewise’ initiative, which organises led rides, provides training and distributes refurbished bikes.

Glasgow Afghan United Women's Empowerment Project, which provides specific services for more than 70 women in the north of the city, will expand its scheme to teach beginners how to cycle safely for leisure, transport and health.

Toryglen Community Youth Project, which works with children and young people 5-24 years, will introduce cycling activities from their base at Prospecthill Circus, making use of the extensive green spaces and paths on their doorstep.

It will look to create new cycling opportunities, helping young people to become comfortable on a bike, enabling them to get to know the local area much better and find safe spaces to enjoy the great outdoors.

Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “I am excited to announce the recipients of funding from the Go Cycle Glasgow Fund, and I am hugely impressed by the ambition and commitment of these local community groups to deliver such an innovative range of cycling related projects, to get more people active and enjoying all the benefits that cycling can bring.

“I look forward to visiting many of these exciting projects over the coming months and seeing even more people out and about our wonderful and increasingly cycle-friendly city on bikes.”