We were on site last week checking in on the progress of this amazing facility. The circuit has now been fully dug out so you can see the shape
RJ Macleod are on schedule for their new year completion.
We’ve been working on plans for some technical features inside the loops using the excavated soil.
It was exciting to actually walk round the whole circuit and get a good idea of what to expect.
Photo by Malcolm Clapperton
Construction has started, now it’s time to plan the weekly time table. Register how you or your club, community group or business would like to use the Cycle Circuit when it opens in March 2023.
How will you use the West Lothian Cycle Circuit?
Fill in this form to explain how your organisation will use the circuit.
https://forms.gle/b7V2gdMpM4jKpLsU9
And don’t forget!
Open forum: 7.30pm, 5th October Xcite Linlithgow (McGinley Way EH49 6SQ Linlithgow)
RSVP by October 3rd cyclecircuitwestlothian@gmail.com
Thank you!
Construction has already begun on our 1km tarmac, fenced and floodlit facility with a grand opening in March 2023
We now want to start work on the 2023 weekly time table of activities and want to hear about how you, and your organisation would like to use the circuit.
Thursday night racing? Before-work training? Beginner sessions? Club activities? Youth coaching? Park Run? Demo days? All-ability cycling? How will you use it?
The circuit was made possible because of the demand by many clubs and individuals. Please come along to describe your activities and find out how you can make best use of the time when it’ll be open.
RSVP by October 3rd
Open forum: 7.30pm, 5th October Xcite Linlithgow (McGinley Way EH49 6SQ Linlithgow)
Volunteers behind the West Lothian Cycle Circuit celebrated this week when it was announced that construction will begin in September on the £1.25 million world class facility in Linlithgow.
The new amenity at Linlithgow Leisure Centre is a 1km traffic-free, tarmac circuit made up of 4 loops that will be fenced and floodlit for all year round use by cyclists, runners and all-ability users.
The community-led project, managed by local charity Linlithgow Community Development Trust (LCDT) will provide an exciting range of supported cycling sessions for people of all ages and abilities from across West Lothian.
Carole Racionzer, Chair of LCDT, says “This amazing 1km facility is designed for the whole community. People will have access to a safe, traffic-free space for learning to ride, for cycle sport and for enjoying the outdoors.”
The total project is expected to cost £1.25 million. £636,000 has been provided via the Scottish Cycling and Sportscotland Cycling Facilities Fund, which aims to deliver a lasting impact from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, hosted in Glasgow and Scotland in August 2023. West Lothian Council is providing £349,000 with the remaining costs met by a range of external funders, including community fundraising.
Sophie McCall, Scottish Cycling Head of Development & Participation said, “Scottish Cycling is delighted to be able to invest in the development of this facility, and we look forward to continuing to work with local partners to bring the circuit to life and ensure it has a lasting impact for both the local community and the cycling community”
LCDT’s plans to build a 1km circuit began after a community consultation in 2012 and the charity have since been campaigning and fundrasing, with an impressive £77,000 donated through community fundraising.
Carole says, “After all the hard work and millions of hours of volunteer time, we are so excited to finally realise our vision in Linlithgow. This has been a true partnership between so many organisations and we can’t wait to see the facility in action, a fantastic outcome for cycle-sport, for community development, for active travel and for cycling tourism.
Local cycling club West Lothian Clarion have backed the project from the outset, with the new facility providing much needed space to deliver more coaching sessions and reduce its waiting list.
Clarion coach Matthew Ball says, “This will be a game changer for cycling in the region. We want to build a community around the the circuit and make it a ‘cycling hub’. The Clarion and other local clubs will organise races and coaching sessions for adults and youngsters, so Linlithgow will be a real hotspot for cycling.”
The circuit has a wide ranging user group including the general public, as Carole explains: “Cycling, running, triathlon and even skating groups want to book the facility. But everyone can use the circuit in public sessions, just like using the swimming pool. If you feel a bit wobbly on a bike, this is the place to build your confidence either with a bit of coaching or just riding about in a safe space with friends.”
The running community have been long time supporters, Angus Gallie, President of Linlithgow Athletics Club, says, “LAC are proud to have been involved and supportive of this project from its concept. We are looking forward to using the circuit for club sessions involving experienced runners, joggers and beginners. A great day for the power of community effort.”
Fraser Falconer, who spearheaded the project for 6 years as former chair of LCDT, says, “This is a great achievement for the Trust and all of the West Lothian Cycle Circuit volunteers. We wouldn’t be here without our funding partners, and the work West Lothian Council has done to procure and build this excellent facility. Many individuals and organisations have donated funds and time to get this project across the line. Thank you all so much.”
Over £1.2million has been raised so far but one of the major success stories of our fundraising campaign has been the £77K raised through community fundraising. Cyclists, triathletes, runners, their respective clubs and the wider local community have got involved, volunteered, donated and raised funds to help realise our ground-braking cycle circuit project
The #RollerChallenge (see video) was just one initiative where cyclists from youngsters to superstars rode their rollers and donated to the fundraiser and raised over £6000 in the process!
16 local cycling, triathlon and running clubs have made donations which goes to show the support a cycle circuit has across Scotland, with clubs as far away as Stonehaven making a contribution
Other fundraisers have included the sale fo mugs, prints and calendars and of course we raised over £33,000 with our amazing #LetsBuildit Crowdfunder
The cycle circuit will give a massive boost to peoples’ mental and physical health by by providing a safe space to form a habit of a healthier lifestyle. Our project will create a supportive community hub linking all of West Lothian’s outdoor facilities like Beecraigs, SUSTRANS paths and pump tracks, creating a more sustainable, healthier and better connected community
West Lothian Cycle Circuit 