Cycling takes centre stage at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as students and staff celebrate receiving a Cycle Friendly Campus Award.
Scotland’s national conservatoire – one of the world’s top performing arts education institutions – has been recognised by Cycling Scotland for its commitment to promoting cycling as an accessible and convenient travel choice.
The Cycle Friendly Campus Award, delivered with funding from Transport Scotland, highlights exemplar projects from Scotland’s college and university campuses who are actively working to promote cycling as a sustainable travel option. Cycling is part of everyday life at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with many making the daily journey to its two campuses by bike, from students – often with instruments on their backs – to teaching and support staff. Even the Principal, Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, regularly cycles to work.
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey said: “We encourage students and staff to embrace active travel at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as it is a quick, convenient and sustainable way to get to and from our campuses – and it’s also a wonderful way to boost wellbeing.
“To ensure students and staff get the most out of life on two wheels, we offer cycle training, facilities such as showers and bike parking, free maintenance sessions with Dr Bike, the mobile repair workshop service, and paid places for Scotland’s biggest bike event, Pedal for Scotland. There is a committed community of people who cycle within the Royal Conservatoire and this award recognises their efforts not only to reduce our carbon footprint, but to promote cycling as a healthy, affordable and enjoyable travel option.”
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – which is consistently recognised as one of the world’s top 10 performing arts education institutions (QS World Rankings 2016-18) – has received funding from Cycling Scotland for a second cycle shelter at its Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks campus.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf MSP, said: “It is great to see that the world-renowned Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is not only backing active travel but is leading by example through its development of a cycling culture.
“Supporting cycling in this way has the potential to deliver a range of health benefits to staff and students while also helping our environment, which is why this award is so well deserved. The Scottish Government has doubled the Active Travel budget this year to £80 million, and for the next two years, and so I’m hoping to be welcoming more awards of this kind in the future.”
Valentin Jeanjean, Cycling Scotland Development Officer, said: “Cycling Scotland is delighted to present the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with the Cycle Friendly Campus Award. It’s great to think that future stars of stage and screen, as well as musicians, dancers and anyone involved in performing arts, will be cycling through Glasgow.
“Over the years, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has shown a true commitment to promoting cycling as an easy and accessible form of everyday transport and we were impressed by the level of support offered to students and staff.”