Search for Scotland’s ‘cycling champions’ for 2023 launched

Scotland’s four cycling organisations – Cycling Scotland, Cycling UK, Scottish Cycling and Sustrans Scotland – have launched the search for Scotland’s cycling champions.

The Cycling Champion of the Year Awards are Scotland’s national cycling awards. They give the public the chance to help celebrate those individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly to supporting cycling at a local or national level in the past year.

Members of the public are being asked to submit nominations across six categories:

• Visionary Champion of the Year
• Community Champion of the Year for Sport and Recreation
• Community Champion of the Year for Everyday Cycling
• Young Champion of the Year
• Business Champion of the Year
• Cycle Shop Champion of the Year

Previous winners

In 2022, the Cycling Champion Awards were presented to:

• Ann Berry of Biosphere Bikes in Girvan, for her long-term work to make cycling more inclusive and accessible in Ayrshire
• Colin Chisholm, for his significant contribution to officiating at cycling events and activities across Scotland and mentoring of other volunteers
• 1st Step Ventures, a community-led charity helping people in West Lothian and Falkirk affected by addiction to gain confidence, skills and qualifications through bike repairs
• Amelia Shuttleworth of cycling club Glasgow Riderz, for her encouragement and support for other young people to take up cycling
• Glasgow-based content studio Cut Media, for its efforts to support its staff to switch to cycling as an everyday transport option
• Hart’s Cyclery, a cycle shop based in Edinburgh committed to encouraging more people to cycle and actively helping to influence positive change

Why the awards matter

It is an exciting time for cycling in Scotland, with record government investment in active travel infrastructure and more people getting on their bikes

Christopher Johnson, Cycling Scotland

Christopher Johnson, head of education and training at Cycling Scotland on behalf of the organising committee said: “It is an exciting time for cycling in Scotland, with record government investment in active travel infrastructure and more people getting on their bikes.

“The annual Cycling Champions awards reflect the significant contribution that individuals and organisations make to ensure that cycling delivers benefits to us all. Previous winners have supported stronger communities and social connections, delivered programmes to reduce transport poverty, and created opportunities to improve health and wellbeing.

“Along with partners across the four national cycling organisations, we want to celebrate this and look forward to receiving nominations for those who deserve to be recognised for their hard work in 2023.”

Nominations for Cycling Champions can be made until 30 June 2023.