Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) awarded funding to get Scotland cycling.
ELREC Cycling Club has received £22,000 of funding from Scottish walking charity Paths for All – Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Programme in a bid to encourage people to change their behaviours to drive less and to walk or cycle as part of their everyday short journeys or to use public transport for longer journeys.
ELREC secured the grant after submitting an application outlining plans to promote cycling, more sustainable forms of transport, and a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle, particularly to communities that are ‘harder to reach’. Additionally, the project aims to assist Scotland in reaching its Net Zero Carbon targets by encouraging active travel.
The fund aims to help cut Scotland’s carbon emissions and improve our air quality. It will also help reverse the trend towards sedentary lifestyles and will tackle health inequalities.
Franciele Sobierai, Project Coordinator of ELREC Cycling Club said: “Thanks to Paths for All and their Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Programme ELREC will be able to give continuation and expand its cycling activities.”
“The project aims to encourage more community members to become independent cyclists by providing them with all the needed tools, through cycling classes, weekly bike repair sessions, e-bike library, and cycle rides.”
“The Cycling Club will inspire diverse communities to change their commuting habits, decrease car use, and increase their active travel, including walking and using public transport.”
Ian Findlay CBE, Chief Officer at Paths for All said: “Many congratulations to ELREC on securing this funding which I hope will see many more people enjoying regular cycling in Edinburgh & Lothians.”
“This project is just one of many to receive a grant from our Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Programme. Throughout the country, organisations working at the community level have come up with a range of initiatives and ideas that are making it easier for people to reverse the trend towards sedentary lifestyles and tackle health inequalities.”
“This is an important step towards cutting Scotland’s carbon emissions and improving our air quality.”
For more information please contact franciele@elrec.org.uk
