A total of nine members of staff and volunteers at the council’s East Kilbride branch of UC took on the training as part of a Beat the Street legacy project aimed at upskilling their cycle training.

Organised by Bikeability Scotland the training has now allowed UC to run essential cycling courses for young people and the wider community to build their confidence, use cycle lanes safely and provide basic bike maintenance to keep their bikes roadworthy.

Councillor Robert Brown, the chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, said: “I am delighted that this Bikeability training scheme will allow these instructors to encourage more people of all ages to take up cycling in a safe and enjoyable way.

“Learning how to cycle safely out on our cycle paths and roads is a must to ensuring that local people can enjoy a healthier lifestyle by choosing a more sustainable mode of transport."

Air quality funding from the Scottish Government was also made available to purchase bikes to provide organised bike rides for anyone attending UC.

Youth, Family and Community Learning Service staff from across South Lanarkshire undertook Cycling Scotland's Ride Cycle Leader training to provide opportunities for groups of young people and adults to take part in planned local cycling trips making use of approved cycle paths.

These trips will be led by the trained staff and offered to Universal Connections existing learners.

And through the UC Bike Access Fund, funds were secured for volunteer adults to receive their own bike to complete their journey and become regular cyclists across East Kilbride and beyond.