A Granite City leisure trust has secured funding to boost awareness and deliver programmes encouraging more people and businesses to use cycling as their main mode of transport in the north-east.

Adventure Aberdeen, part of award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen, has received funding to deliver the ‘Cycling Friendly Employer Award’ throughout the north-east.

This is the third year that the funding has been awarded to Adventure Aberdeen and to date the organisation’s staff have helped over 20 companies achieve the award.

The nationally recognised programme, run by Cycling Scotland, provides an award scheme and funding to help organisations make it easier for their staff to cycle to work. Cycling supports good physical and mental health for staff as well as easing congestion, improves the local environment and enhances corporate social responsibility by reducing the carbon footprint.

Adventure Aberdeen’s venue in Kingswells is a ‘Cycling Friendly Employer Service Centre’ which means any business with an interest in becoming a ‘Cycling Friendly Employer’ is directed to the venue via Cycling Scotland’s website.

Mike Gifford, Adventure Aberdeen Manager, commented on the funding award:

“This is a really exciting opportunity for local companies to get involved in the bike revolution and support their workers in leading a healthier and greener lifestyle while gaining recognition for being a cycling friendly employer.

“It is my hope that in the near future we can work with more organisations to help them become cycling friendly accredited and help to promote a healthier and greener way of commuting within the city whilst encouraging more people to participate in physical activity.”