Participation and legacy
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is more than just an event for the Scottish Borders and the South of Scotland, and its impact will be far reaching.
Catalyst for change
As part of the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership we want this event to be a catalyst for positive change. We want to use it, and the inspirational performances we’ll witness, to help unlock the power of the bike in our region to transform our future.
The vision of the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy is that by 2032 our communities are shaped around and include all of our people and that cycling is the most popular choice for shorter everyday journeys, and is embedded into the daily fabric of the lives of residents and experiences of our visitors.
Home of the bike
Just over 200 years ago a humble blacksmith from Dumfriesshire, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, went into his workshop and created the “velocipede” which went on to become known as the bicycle and changed the world forever. This heritage, combined with a widely recognised reputation as a region with outstanding scenery and world-class cycling experiences, gives us the perfect opportunity to lift our rightful crown as the global “Home of the Bike”. A collective commitment to implement an ambitious and ground-breaking approach to unlocking the power of the bike will help steer and guide the south of Scotland to achieve this goal.
Bikes can help address fuel poverty, transport issues, community isolation, and improve health and wellbeing. They can drive economic investments, drive demand in innovation, and create skilled jobs. If adopted on a large enough scale they can change behaviours and make a significant contribution towards our regional and national Net Zero commitments.
Together with our partners we want the South of Scotland to be recognised not only as Scotland’s leading cycling destination, but as a world class cycling destination of excellence in which to live, visit, study and invest.
You can help…by getting on a bike. Now WE ride!
Saddle up
To help you get on a bike, or get back on if you’ve been a cyclist before, there are lots of events taking place this year. This includes free events and activities being delivered by Live Borders, local cycling clubs and through Scottish Cycling.
As an Official Activation Partner of the World Championships, Scottish Cycling will deliver its Ride The Worlds programme in the lead up to and during August’s event, with the aim of engaging with as many cyclists and cycling fans as possible.
Ride The Worlds will be made up of a number of different components, aimed at getting new people into the sport, as well as giving young cyclists the opportunity of a lifetime by qualifying to race at some of the World Championship venues directly before their cycling idols then compete in the World Championships races!
One of the core components of the programme in the build up to the World Championships is Experience The Worlds, which will provide opportunities across the length and breadth of Scotland for people to give cycle sport a try. Whether that’s BMX, MTB, Speedway, or simply riding your local pump track, Experience The Worlds will give people a flavour of how great cycling is, with grassroots racing and club sessions giving anyone and everyone the chance to participate.
What’s more, should you take part in an Experience The Worlds event, you’ll be entered into a ballot to win tickets to go and spectate at the World Championships in August.