Fife hopes to position itself at “the forefront of Scottish cycling” when its new purpose-built cycle circuit opens on Wednesday.
Fife Cycle Park, between Lochgelly and Lochore, will be officially launched by record-breaking long-distance cyclist Mark Beaumont and Fife provost Jim Leishman.
The 1.6km outdoor circuit will offer traffic-free cycling for people of all ages and abilities. It is open to individuals, clubs and groups and will also host a range of community events.
The Courier was invited along to try out the new £2.4m park, which features an A-road class tarmac surface for smooth and pleasurable cycling.
Councillor Judy Hamilton, convener of the community and housing services committee, said: “Fife Cycle Park has already gained national attention and is set to put central Fife at the forefront of Scottish cycling.
“Crucially though, many of the programmes that will be developed in the coming months will ensure that there is something to suit the many people who are unable to access or return to cycling.
“This will be a safe outdoor space for people to access and there will be a focus on tackling the health inequalities that exist in the local area. Encouraging people to get and stay active is an important preventative measure that contributes towards long-term health benefits.”
The park has already hosted a number of events ahead of the official opening, and project chiefs say the feedback so far has been very positive.
Fife Cycle Park will be open for anyone to use and cycling groups from as far afield as Aberdeen and Edinburgh have already booked sessions at what is described as Scotland’s first purpose-built outdoors cycle circuit.
For more, follow @VeloFife on Twitter, Fife Cycle Park on Facebook or visit cyclepark.fife.scot.
