FREE digital support to help rural Clydesdale get on their bikes

New website, digital resources and workshops launched

Communities in rural Clydesdale are being invited to brush up their active travel skills this spring, through a package of free digital cycling support workshops and resources hosted on a new website www.makeyourwayclydesdale.com. 

Taking place as part of the Make Your Way active travel project, the project focusses on rural Clydesdale communities of Abington, Carstairs, Carstairs Junction, Coalburn, Coulter, Crawford, Crawfordjohn, Douglas, Elvanfoot, Glespin, Kirkfieldbank, Rigside, Lamington and Leadhills. 

Workshops include Essential Cycle Repair (including free toolikts), live group chat cycling advice sessions, 1:1 personalised support sessions and digital Dr Bike maintenance clinics. They have been scheduled in place of Bikeability sessions in eight of the local primary schools which could not take place this year due to COVID restrictions.  

All activities can be booked by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 0141 647 3250. All activities will take place via Zoom and the link will be emailed to participants upon booking. The sessions are as follows:  

Essential Toolkit Group Sessions - free toolkits will be sent to participants upon booking: 

Change an inner tube – puncture repair 

Wednesday 10 March, 10:30 - 11:30am / Friday 12 March, 10:30 - 11:30am / Saturday 20 March, 12 - 1pm 

Adjusting Brakes & Gears 

Wednesday 10 March, 12 – 1pm / Saturday 20 March, 10:30 - 11:30am 

Chains – using the chain tool 

Wednesday 17 March, 12 – 1pm 

  

Live Chat Group Sessions 

What bike will I buy? Advice and support on buying a bike 

Saturday 13 March, 11am - 12pm 

What is an e-bike and why would I want one? 

Tuesday 16 March, 10:30 - 11:30am 

  

Dr Bike Online Bike Clinic Group Sessions 

Let’s safety check your bike 

Saturday 13 March, 1 - 2pm 

Fixing your / your child's bike - support and discussion 

Friday 19 March, 2 - 3pm  

  

Dr Bike 1:1 Online Maintenance Clinics – 30 mins 

Wednesday 10 March, 3 and 3:30pm / Friday 12 March, 4 and 4:30pm / Wednesday 17 March, 3 and 3:30pm / Friday 19 March, 3:30 and 4pm / Saturday 13 March, 1pm / Saturday 20 March, 2pm 

 

1:1 Online Support Sessions: Families with children learning to cycle – 30mins 

Tuesday 16 March, 12, 12:30, 2, 2:30 and 3pm 

 

1:1 Online Support Sessions - How can we help you? Cycling related queries - 30 mins 

Wednesday 10 March, 2pm / Friday 12 March, 1:30pm / Wednesday 17 March, 2pm / Friday 19 March, 12 and 1pm 

The workshops compliment the new Make Your Way website which has launched, www.makeyourwayclydesdale.com, which includes walking and cycling maps for ten of the communities, as well as tips and resources, including bespoke video content on bike maintenance activities and specialist activities for families, children and schools.  

The maps, which were researched in collaboration with local communities, together with the other resources, are designed to inspire communities to make the most of what’s on their doorsteps, highlighting the benefits of active travel and the importance of following the outdoor access code. 

Make Your Way is managed by Rural Development Trust’s Community Action Lanarkshire programme and supported by Paths for All Smarter Choices Smarter Places, South Lanarkshire Renewable Energy Fund and Rural Development Trust. It is being delivered by creative consultants icecream architecture and Healthy n Happy Development Trust. 

Sarah O’Sullivan, Active Travel Project Officer for Community Action Lanarkshire says, “During the pandemic, we’ve become increasingly aware of the benefits of active travel, from its associated impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing, to reduced impact on roads and public transport, and reduction in carbon emissions. The sessions are just in time for the better weather, helping people to get out on the fantastic network of paths that are available, as well as providing an opportunity to learn new bike maintenance skills.” 

Mapboards and wayfinding are due to be installed imminently, as part of Make Your Way, in Coalburn and Carstairs Junction.  

All activities can be booked by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 0141 647 3250.