The ScotRail Alliance has teamed up with Cycling Scotland and Glasgow Bike Station to offer a quick, safe and healthy active travel option for customers travelling from Bishopbriggs during the Glasgow Queen Street Tunnel works.
Between March and May, free ‘led rides’ will be on offer to commuters, letting them try cycling to work from Bishopbriggs on a range of routes. There will be options for the guided rides graded by ease of use, from canal towpaths and residential side streets to faster routes.
Offering these guided cycles means those trying out their bike for the first time in a while can travel safely in company, and experienced ride leaders will be on hand to help with any mechanical issues.
Journeys will take around 30 minutes to and from the city centre, roughly the same time as diverted train journeys from Bishopbriggs to Glasgow Queen Street Low Level.
‘Dr Bike’ maintenance workshops will also be available so customers can have their bikes safety checked before travelling.
To find out more details on dates and times, and for a link to book a spot on one of the guided cycles, please visit www.scotrail.co.uk/queenstreettunnel and select the ‘Active travel’ column.
Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: “The work in the Glasgow Queen Street Tunnel will pave the way for us to run faster, longer, greener trains on the line from December 2016. In the meantime, we’re doing all we can to keep our customers moving.
“While we realise that cycling is not for everyone, this opportunity could be ideal for people who may have been thinking about cycling to work but are perhaps lack confidence to cycle alone.
“Led rides present an easy, sociable, safe and enjoyable way to take up cycling as part of the daily commute, and we’re happy to be able to offer this to our customers from Bishopbriggs.”
Keith Irving, Cycling Scotland chief executive, said: “Cycling is a fast and healthy way to travel for short journeys. We are working with ScotRail and others to make it easier for rail passengers to cycle to the station and, during the Queen Street tunnel closure, for some people to cycle all the way to Glasgow City Centre.
“With better weather on its way, we’d encourage anyone to think about their journey and give cycling a try and get your 30 minutes physical activity on your way to work.”
Transport Minister, Derek Mackay, said: “I hope that anyone interested in giving cycling a go will come along to these sessions where they can get technical support whilst familiarising themselves with the various routes between Bishopbriggs and the city centre.
“While ScotRail have put in place rail and bus timetables that mean people can still use public transport during the closure, cycling offers a fun and healthy option which is quicker than many people realise.
“We appreciate that the closure of the Queen Street High Level tunnel means that some people have to make some adjustments to their regular journeys, and I would like to thank them for their cooperation during this period.”
Victoria Leiper, projects manager at Glasgow Bike Station, said: “We are obviously great advocates of cycling, and can’t wait to get on our bikes and get started!
“We’re really happy to work with ScotRail and offer this opportunity to the people of Bishopbriggs during the Queen Street tunnel improvement works.”