Leadership Opportunities – Ally Park Bike Club 16/02/2012

Milnbank Carbon Reduction Project announces exciting cycle training opportunities for local people as part of carbon reduction initiative Ally Park Bike Club.

Resident Information event: Tuesday 21^st February 2012, 6.30pm, Haghill Leisure Centre. 

A new cycling project is set to re-launch in March for local residents in the Haghill and Dennistoun area.  Catering for adults, young people and children, the Ally Park Bike Club is part of the wider Milnbank Carbon Reduction Project (MCRP), designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the local area.  In just 18 months the MCRP has reduced carbon emissions by an estimated 2000 tonnes.  Project Coordinator George Chalmers is confident that the Ally Park Bike Club will compliment the environmental improvements already made in the area, providing extensive training opportunities for local people in the process: George said: “we now have 2 excellent cycle tracks in Ally Park and we are looking forward to the local community getting involved in a range of cycling activities including increasing cycling skills and training in cycle maintenance. We are looking for the Bike Club to develop Ally Park as a cycling hub in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.”

The Bike Club will utilise the new mountain bike track built in Alexandra Park by the MCRP with funding from the Climate Challenge Fund.  Suitable for all ages and abilities, the track was officially launched by The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison MSP, alongside special guests, Special Olympics gold medallist cyclists Ronnie Henry and Leanne Peters.   In addition, over 400 local residents attended a Cycling Gala to celebrate cycling in the area in September 2011, providing a great introduction to the track and a taste of what the Ally Park Bike Club will offer. 

With support from the national Bike Club project, the club will run a series of cycle confidence building courses – all led by local people.

Ally Park Bike Club is currently looking for local residents to take part in a series of tutor training courses, providing the skills required to teach others how to cycle safely and have fun in the process.  In addition, volunteers will be provided with a bike on long-term loan.  Residents who are interested are invited to attend an open information session on Tuesday 21^st February at Haghill Leisure Centre from 6.30pm, providing a chance to find out more about the club and sign up for forthcoming leadership training.  For more information please contact Victoria Leiper: Victoria.leiper@bikeclub.org.uk  or call 0776 6403 220.