THREE local organisations are to share more than £126,000 to help people across Cowal, Bute and Argyll get walking and cycling.
Dunoon Community Development Trust, Positive Pedals on Bute and Argyll Countryside Trust have all secured awards through Scottish Government-funded programmes aimed at making active travel more accessible in rural communities.
The largest of the three awards will see Positive Pedals on the Isle of Bute receive £59,970 to support its work on the island.
The organisation will use the funding for bike refurbishment and maintenance workshops, led walks and cycle rides and active travel workshops in schools.
It will also support the development of a community-led active travel masterplan for the island.
In Dunoon, the Community Development Trust has been awarded £18,515 to continue its Dunoon on the Move project.
The initiative already provides a wide range of free opportunities for local people, including e-bike loans, health walks, led cycle rides and bicycle maintenance training.
Buggy walks are available for parents and carers, while some of the group’s walks have been given an unusual twist with the addition of silent discos.
The project also offers bike check-ups at locations around Dunoon, including local primary schools.
Ann Black Campbell, from Dunoon Community Development Trust, welcomed the latest award.
She said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from the People and Place programme to support our Dunoon on the Move project.
“Through the excellent work of our project worker, Sara Hawley, Dunoon on the Move gives local people access to free e-bike loans, a programme of health walks, led cycle rides and free bike maintenance training.
“There are buggy walks for parents and carers and occasional walks with silent discos added on. The funding also allows us to offer bike check-ups in various locations, including our local primary schools.”
Trained local volunteers help deliver the activities, with the Trust keen to hear from anyone interested in getting involved.
DCDT is also encouraging local employers to consider how they could support staff who want to walk or cycle to work.
Ann added: “All of this activity is designed to support people to make more of their everyday journeys on foot or by bike.
“Our work also helps to bring people together to explore our area, make new friends and improve their health and wellbeing out in the fresh air.”
Argyll Countryside Trust (ACT) has secured £48,209.68 for its work refurbishing bicycles, helping to keep unwanted bikes out of landfill while providing more people with access to affordable cycles.
ACT will also deliver bicycle maintenance training to school pupils and provide organisations with fleets of bikes.
The three awards form part of more than £560,000 being distributed to 12 projects across the Highlands and Islands through the People and Place Programme and Transport to Employment funds.
The funding is distributed by regional transport partnership HITRANS and managed through Transport Scotland.
Projects supported by the programme range from cycle training and bike refurbishment to walking groups, workplace cycling and helping people plan more sustainable journeys.
HITRANS Active Travel Manager Vikki Trelfer said: “The projects being supported are making a real difference in many rural and islands communities.
“Local initiatives are giving thousands of people of all ages the means, the confidence and the skills to choose active travel as a safe and sustainable transport option.”
Details of upcoming Dunoon on the Move activities can be found through the community-run What’s On Dunoon website.
