Cycling Champion of the Year crowned at Cycling Scotland Annual Conference

On Monday 30 October, Sally Hinchcliffe, from Dumfries, was the worthy winner of the inaugural Cycling Champion of the Year Award for her contribution to cycling both locally and nationally.

The Cycling Champion of the Year Award is presented to an individual whose contribution has made a significant impact on cycling at a local, regional or national level. The accolade is awarded jointly by Cycling Scotland, Cycling UK, Scottish Cycling, and Sustrans Scotland.

Highly Commended in Cycle Champion of the Year Award was PC Dominic Doyle for his work on Police Scotland’s Operation Close Pass. The campaign has achieved national recognition and support and, as well as inspiring similar schemes across Scotland, has helped to encourage road users to think more about the safety and wellbeing of people on bikes as they travel.

Sally is a tireless cycling campaigner who has led, created and cofounded a range of successful groups and campaigns.  These include the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain, Pedal on Parliament, the Women’s Cycle Forum and Cycling Dumfries.

Partnership is key to her approach, encouraging committed individuals and organisations to trade ideas and work together.  In 2017 she co-organised the We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote campaign which positively highlighted to politicians the key priorities for cycling and brought together more than fifty groups across Scotland.

Chris Johnson, Head of Training and Education at Cycling Scotland, said “It has been inspiring to sit on the panel and learn of all the incredible work that nominees are involved in to develop cycling in Scotland.  Both Sally and Dominic have used their passion and commitment to demonstrable effect, influencing others and championing the benefits of cycling.”

Suzanne Forup, Head of Development Scotland, Cycling UK said:

“Cycling UK is delighted to see Scotland’s first Cycling Champion of the Year Awards go to Sally Hinchcliffe and PC Dominic Doyle. Sally is a prolific and well-respected cycle campaigner, who has worked relentlessly to make cycling an accessible transport option for all, while Dominic’s role in Operation Close Pass has significantly improved the safety for people who already cycle and raised public awareness of close passes when driving. These worthy winners have made a huge contribution to cycling in Scotland over the last year and we are proud to support their activities."

Kate Campbell, Deputy Director, Behaviour Change, Sustrans Scotland commented:

“Sustrans Scotland is delighted to be involved in the Cycling Champion of the Year Award 2017, the first time this initiative has been run in Scotland.

“We received some excellent nominations from all across the country and choosing a winner was extremely difficult. We are pleased to congratulate the 2017 winner, Sally Hinchcliffe, who has done so much for encouraging people to use bikes for more of the journeys they make every day.

“We are also delighted to award PC Dominic Doyle from Police Scotland with a Highly Commended Award for his role in leading the development of Operation Close Pass in Edinburgh.

Vicky Strange, Head of Development, Scottish Cycling said:

“The Cycling Champion of the Year Award 2017 is a great new initiative and one that Scottish Cycling is delighted to support. It was very difficult to choose a winner from the excellent nominations received but we are very pleased to congratulate Sally Hinchcliffe for her amazing work as a cycling campaigner.”

The award was presented by Bailie Philip Braat at a reception hosted by Glasgow City Council.