Active Travel Officer Craig Coull is the driving force behind a programme of organised ‘Led Rides’ through spring and summer to encourage Forth Valley College staff and students to enjoy cycling while keeping fit.
The activities – which will take place every Friday until the summer break on a rota basis starting from a different campus each week – have been organised in conjunction with Stirling Active Travel Hub, with the first one heading off from the Falkirk Campus on Friday 22 April from 12noon-1pm.
Craig (27) from Stirling – who is also a self-employed fitness coach and ultra-marathon competitor – also hopes to encourage people to share their photos while out walk, cycling or running, He hopes this will encourage others to get involved in activity and generally raising awareness of physical activity.
Craig, whose post is funded through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund from Paths for All, is in his new role until the end of December 2022 and he has been gearing up to putting on group activities and events to bring people together with a shared interest and enjoy being active.
He said: “Social led rides are open to all FVC students and staff. We will have a led ride planned each week rotating between the three College campuses up until we break for the summer holidays. First up is Falkirk on Friday 22 April at 12pm.
“The routes are on mostly flat terrain, taking in the local bike paths and cycling friendly routes around each campus. The rides will last approximately 45minutes and I hope as many people as possible come along and get involved in what will be a very enjoyable experience. Anyone interested can sign up using the links below, and everyone should look out for later dates in the coming weeks!
“With the better weather starting - hopefully! - more people will be starting to get outdoors for activity and to commute. So, to spread the word on keeping active, why not share a photo from your activities using the hashtags #FVCactive or #FVCcommute when posting a photo to social media and tag the College. These can be on your lunchtime walk, daily commute, evening dog walk... anything! There will also be prizes for the best photos through the year. So, keep active and you could win!”
Sign up for more Led Rides below:
Falkirk: Fri 13 May, 1pm: here
Stirling: Fri 20 May, 1pm: here
Alloa: Fri 27 May, 1pm: here
Falkirk: Wed 1 June, 1pm: here
Stirling: Fri 10 June, 1pm: here
Alloa: Fri 17 June, 1pm: here