This marks a major milestone in the build-up to the 2027 Tour de France, the UK Grand Départ seeing widespread commitment to ensuring the impact is felt beyond the race days, and we see more people getting on bikes for both leisure and active travel.
The Scottish Government is investing up to £9.25 million to support the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ in Scotland, with £1 million of that dedicated to a Social Impact Programme delivered by Scottish Cycling, designed to create a lasting legacy for communities across the country.
The programme focuses on three key pillars; tackling inactivity and improving mental wellbeing; making Britain more productive and prosperous; and supporting communities to thrive.
The first project to get underway in Glasgow demonstrates how funding will turbocharge activity right across Scotland, and not just in the areas that the race will pass through. With funding from the Social Impact Programme and British Cycling, Movement Park, a charity focused on getting people more active through play, has launched a new City Academy, creating opportunities for young people in Glasgow to access cycling in an inclusive and supportive environment.
The City Academy is a British Cycling initiative designed to break down barriers to participation and ensure that people of all backgrounds, ages, genders and abilities can experience the benefits and enjoyment of cycling.
The expansion of the programme into Scotland – with Movement Park being the first site – aims to build sustained participation, develop coaching/volunteering capacity, and identify riders with the potential to progress onto performance pathways.
Movement Park’s wider mission is to build a community of supermovers by using urban sports such as parkour, BMX, skateboarding and roller skating to develop confidence, creativity, resilience and fundamental movement skills among young people.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said:
“The Tour de France Grand Départ is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Scotland to a global audience, while also delivering lasting benefits for communities across the country.
“This programme is about making a real difference across Scotland by helping people to be more active and giving more young people the opportunity to experience the benefits of cycling.
“Movement Park’s City Academy is an excellent example of how this funding can make a real difference at a local level, helping communities thrive and ensuring the legacy of the Tour is felt long after the event itself.”
Speaking at a launch event earlier this month, Movement Park Founder, Stephen Somerville said:
“The City Academy is a start of a partnership with Scottish Cycling and British Cycling to try and bring more young people through the programme.
“The Tour de France can only bring huge awareness of cycling, and it’s about bringing those kids from inner-city areas like the East End of Glasgow together and giving them the opportunity to believe that this is something that’s for them.”
Tour de France Grand Départ Social Impact Lead, Victoria Leiper, added:
“It’s fantastic to see this project up and running in Glasgow, with support from the Social Impact Programme. The Tour de France Grand Départ gives us a unique opportunity to harness the excitement around one of the world’s biggest sporting events and use it to inspire more people to get involved in cycling in whatever way works for them, whether that’s BMX, joining a local cycling club, or simply cycling to work or school.
“At the heart of the Social Impact Programme is a commitment to tackling inactivity, supporting mental wellbeing, and helping communities thrive, while also creating long-term social and economic opportunities across Scotland.”
While Movement Park is the first project to launch through the Tour de France Grand Départ Social Impact Programme, it is only the beginning. Scottish Cycling is excited to continue supporting projects in communities across Scotland, using the power and profile of the 2027 Tour de France to create a legacy of increased participation, improved wellbeing and stronger, more connected communities.