Early morning pedal power from Bishopbriggs

Last updated: Thursday, 8 October 2020

Next week, commuters from Bishopbriggs train station are being offered the chance to enjoy a free ‘Bike Breakfast’ thanks to a partnership between the ScotRail Alliance, Cycling Scotland, Glasgow Bike Station and Café Torino in Bishopbriggs.

As part of a guided cycle initiative, next Thursday 21 April, commuters can enjoy a free coffee and croissant while their bicycle is safety checked, and then take part in a led bike ride into Glasgow city centre.

Staff from Glasgow Bike Station will be at Café Torino (located next to Bishopbriggs station) from 7am to carry out a ‘Dr Bike’ maintenance workshop. Then, from 7.45am, the team will lead cyclists on a ride into Glasgow using a safe and easy route including the recently-resurfaced canal towpath, arriving into the town centre at around 8.30am.

The led rides programme is now in its fourth week and has seen more and more cyclists joining each week. There are different options for the guided rides graded by ease of use, from canal towpaths and residential side streets to faster routes.

Phil Verster, managing director of The ScotRail Alliance, said: “We’re really pleased with the feedback we’ve been getting from our customers about these led rides. This initiative is the ideal opportunity for people who may have been thinking about cycling to work but lack the confidence to try it alone.

“I’d encourage customers from Bishopbriggs to make the most of this Bike Breakfast event to get all the information they need on the led rides, and to find out how easy, sociable, safe and enjoyable cycling to work can be!”

Keith Irving, Cycling Scotland chief executive, said: “Cycling is great for your health and for the local economy. This new partnership between The ScotRail Alliance, Cycling Scotland and the Glasgow Bike Station gives people the chance to support their local cafe, burn more calories and arrive at work feeling fantastic.”

Victoria Leiper, projects manager at Glasgow Bike Station, said: “The feedback we’ve had from customers so far has been great – people really seem to be enjoying the cycle to and from Glasgow.

“Offering these guided cycles means those trying out their bike for the first time in a while can travel safely in company, and our experienced ride leaders will be on hand to help with any mechanical issues.”

Journeys 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.

To find out more details on dates and times, and for a link to book a spot on one of the guided cycles, please click here and select the ‘Active travel’ column.