Scotland's biggest celebration of cycling culture

Edinburgh is getting ready for Scotland’s greatest celebration of bicycle culture, with the fourth edition of the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling returning to the capital city from 9–19 June 2016. Celebrating cycling and cycle culture in all its forms, this year's festivities will see over 60 events across Edinburgh and is part of Bike Week 2016.

As well as celebrating bike culture, the festival is about getting people involved; getting people active, supporting activism, holding events that inspire and celebrate all the wonderful things cycling and the city have to offer. To that end, Cycling UK is getting involved in the celebrations, and our Scottish projects are bringing a range of activities and events to cyclists of all kinds:

Edinburgh All Ability Cycling sessions 

Edinburgh All Ability Cycling provides a supportive environment for anyone that needs a little help to get cycling and has a range of adaptive bikes for people with additional needs, their friends and families. Everyone is welcome to come along to the Edinburgh All Ability led rides at the Bangholm Outdoor Education Centre on 10, 12, 14 June.  

Women's Learn then Ride sessions

If you want to get out and ride, but lack confidence, or are not sure how to start, come and join a series of friendly and accessible cycling sessions. Women's Learn then Ride sessions on 15 May, 29 May, 12 and 26 June at the Bangholm Outdoor Education Centre are designed for the female novice or the inexperienced ‘would be’ cyclist, these relaxed sessions can be tailored to those attending, aiming to build confidence and develop skill level. 

Belles on Bikes Edinburgh ride

Women are invited to join the Cycling UK-supported Edinburgh Belles on Bikes on 19 June for a 10-15 mile led ride around some of the fantastic off-road cycle paths and backroads Edinburgh has to offer. The Belles on Bikes Edinburgh ride starts at 10.30am at the Commonwealth Pool and will be back in time for lunch and/or cake.

Family Bike Curious Workshop 

Would you like to transport your family by bike but just don’t know where to start – or are you looking to graduate from a bike seat to a trailer or a tandem? The Bike Curious Family Workshop on 19 June at the Bangholm Outdoor Education Centre will help you get pedalling with children on board. Come along and meet experienced cycling families to try out various solutions and get the real low down on cycling with kids. 

As well as these Cycling UK events, other festival highlights include: 

• a talk from 'Yes' champion and adventurer Dave Cornthwaite
• an evening with Scotland’s very own voice of the professional cycling scene, The Velocast
• screenings of great cycling films including “Pantani”
• Cycle Speed Dating 
• the second edition of The Capital Trail bringing riders from across the UK and beyond to the city in a self-supported mountain bike time-trial
• the Edinburgh Night Ride, giving cyclists the chance to experience cycling through the night on quiet roads in East Lothian
• the Spokes’ Bike Breakfast, with free breakfast and stalls, speeches, security marking and servicing for bikes
• the Brompton Fold-Fest, with prizes for the quickest in town to fold a Brompton bicycle
• the SEStrans Commuter Challenge.

Make sure to get these dates in your diary and check out the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling programme to see all of the events on offer. The festival is all about the bike and cycling culture – come and join Cycling UK and celebrate our passion for cycling in this wonderful city.