Following a period of consultation with members and stakeholders, Scottish Cycling has today launched it’s new strategy, Developing A Nation Of Cyclists 2.0.
Unveiled against the backdrop of much change over the last couple of years, the governing body for the sport of cycling in Scotland was keen to reflect these things as it plans for the future. This backdrop includes some extremely exciting opportunities, with the biggest cycling event in the world, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, coming to Glasgow and Scotland in August, £8 million invested into new cycling facilities across the country and the government’s ‘free bikes for kids’ initiative removing some of the barriers to participation.
Launched in 2019, the original Developing A Nation Of Cyclists strategy has seen much success, as during the four year period Scottish Cycling has enjoyed record medal hauls at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The organisation has also prepared itself for the future with a modern new brand, and most recently with the launch of a Domestic Events Strategy, that aims to enhance events across the country, from national championships to grassroots level, so that everybody can fulfil their own personal ambitions, whatever they may be.
On the launch of the organisations new strategy, Scottish Cycling CEO, Nick Rennie, said:
“When I joined the organisation almost two years ago, the 100 day review that I delivered to our board of directors outlined that we’re in a good place, but it felt like our strategy needed to be updated, to reflect the changes to the landscape we operate in, and to provide more focus, clarity and accountability in what we do.
“I think what we present today does exactly that, building on what came before, so it’s an evolution, not a complete revolution. We enjoyed some extensive feedback with our community, via a number of different forums, and we have tweaked some things in response to that, so thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.
“Now we must go about delivering what is an ambitious, but deliverable strategy, underpinned by our business plan, drawn up alongside our major funder, sportscotland. 2023 is great year to be sharing our vision, with such an exciting summer ahead, and I look forward to seeing our community flourish in the coming months and years.”
You can read the strategy in full here
Following feedback from the wide-reaching consultation, which was overwhelmingly positive, changes have been made to the way disability cycling is referenced, which while always part of Scottish Cycling’s thinking, our focus in this area has been made more prominent. There have also been further commitments to offer continued development opportunities for coaches, leaders, officials and volunteers amongst other things.
The success of the strategy will require collaboration, not only from key partners such as sportscotland and British Cycling, as well as Transport Scotland and the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships organising committee, but the whole cycling community including the thousands of wonderful volunteers who make our sport happen.
