Falkirk’s Active Travel Hub was launched by Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s Minister for Transport and the Islands today (06/02/18) - and Forth Valley College staff were there to support the initiative.
The Hub is part of the wider Healthier Greener Falkirk Project – which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund under Transport Scotland’s Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund. It aims to encourage and support people to make more of their everyday journeys by walking, cycling and through the use of sustainable modes of transportation such as electric bikes and other electric vehicles.
At the launch, information stalls, Dr Bike cycle servicing facilities and the demonstration of electric vehicles were all available for invited guests and members of the public to enjoy.
Forth Valley College is committed to lowering its carbon footprint and helping to promote active travel. It has recently recruited an Intern Campus Cycling Officer, Dylan Rendall – working towards obtaining the Cycling Friendly Campus award from Cycling Scotland. FVC continue to support another FEL project, by hosting a Next Bike station at the Stirling Campus, which allows students to hire bikes to take them into the town centre.
FVC also promotes use of their own college electric cars to staff for travel between campuses and has an electric car charging point open to the public sited on all campuses.
Minister for Transport and the Islands, Humza Yousaf said: “I am delighted to be invited to open the Falkirk Active Travel Hub and to recognise the efforts of staff and volunteers of Forth Environment Link.
“Thanks to the forward looking partnership between Forth Environment Link and Falkirk Council, a fantastic space has been created that visitors and the local community can use to engage with greener and more active modes of travel. The previous round of the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Programme, provided £2.6m of European regional development funding to 4 projects, including this fantastic new hub here in Falkirk.
“The progress that has been made here today reflects our commitment made through the Programme for Government. We have doubled the active travel budget from £40m to £80m and we have stated our target to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. It’s encouraging to see yet another step in our commitment to building a greener and more active nation.”
Falkirk Active Travel Hub Coordinator Ray Burr said: “Our goal is to get the local community making more of their everyday journeys by walking, cycling or using sustainable modes of transport such as electric bikes or electric cars. As well as providing access to bikes and e-bikes through our bike ‘lending library’, we’ll be sharing our expert knowledge of local active travel routes and running workshops on topics such as bike maintenance. We’ll also be working in partnership with local community groups, organisations and businesses to engage with people and make Falkirk and the surrounding area a healthier and happier place to live.”
Pauline Donaldson, FVC’s Facilities Management Coordinator, said: “We are delighted to be invited to take part in Falkirk’s Active Travel Hub launch. We fully support the new initiative and can’t wait to work alongside them in their future plans.”
The Hub – which is based at 203 High Street, Falkirk - will be open Tuesday to Saturday from Tuesday 6 February: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 12 noon -3pm and Wednesday and Saturday 10am-6pm. You can also follow the Hub on Facebook.
