6 days ago
Gourock artist sets out to get people on their bikes after Inverclyde Bothy closes
A GOUROCK artist has spoken about her mission to get people across Inverclyde out on their bikes after the closure of a lifeline local project.
Fine arts creator Christine Allan was a volunteer leader with the Inverclyde Bothy until the project's funder, Cycling UK, pulled the plug on its financial support for the initiative earlier this year.
Christine admitted she was 'gutted' when Cycling UK axed its funding for the Bothy – but now she is setting up her own venture in a bid to keep cycling on track in the area.
(Image: George Munro)
Christine, a cross country mountain biker and member of various clubs, said: "I first joined the Inverclyde Bothy when I moved to Gourock with my partner.
"It was a great way of meeting people. I have been involved in cycling most of my life, I have taken part in cross country and triathlon.
She said: "I started volunteering as a leader, taking groups out on the road from our base at Gourock railway station. It was great and we had so many people involved.
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"It was a shame to lose the the Inverclyde Bothy. I think people were really disappointed to lose it."
The Inverclyde Bothy was set up in May 2018 and had established a popular network of health walks as well as its cycling project.
The cycling side of the Bothy's programme saw people taken out on safe routes with team leaders, including Christine, giving others the chance to learn to cycle.
Christine Allan hopes to save cycling in Inverclyde (Image: George Munro)
The Tele recently reported that the Lyle Gateway community hub had taken on the walks element of the Bothy project.
But until now, nobody has stepped up with a plan to keep the Bothy's cycling legacy alive.
Christine has already come up with a plan of action to bring back the cycling side of the Bothy's work, and has spoken to Community Tracks, the bike recycling and refurbishment project run by the Inverclyde Community Development Trust, about making use of their stock of bikes and equipment.
Christine Allan hopes to start up a cycling venture (Image: George Munro)
Christine is also now a Bikeability instructor and is visiting local schools to put pupils through a cycling proficiency course.
The 49-year-old added: "We have all this cycling infrastructure in Inverclyde, and we also have all these bikes.
'I want to make sure that people can make use of it.
Christine Allan's artwork and gifts are sold at the Wyllieum (Image: contributed)
"I am determined to find a way to keep it going. There are such lovely routes here. I love cycling to Lunderston Bay."
Christine, whose prints and giftware are on sale at the Wyllieum gallery in Greenock, was shortlisted for the 'tourism' prize at the ICON Awards, run by the Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, last year.
Cycling UK confirmed in March that funding for its 'connecting communities' programme had not been renewed, and that six project locations – Inverclyde, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Dumfries and Galloway, East Sutherland, and Caithness – would close by the end of that month.
The Bothy was left out of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport's 'People and Places Programme' for this year, which replaced the previous funding model that provided cash to active travel groups such as Cycling UK.
