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Travel advice for Cycling Worlds

A new travel campaign to help the public, spectators and business plan ahead for the UCI Cycling World Championships has been launched.

Led by the Scottish Government and supported by key partners including Traffic Scotland, Get Ready Glasgow, Police Scotland, local authorities and the event organisers, the advice focuses on which roads and areas are going to be very busy and when. It also flags public transport options and is encouraging people to leave the car at home, where possible, for the fortnight of sporting excellence.

Much of Scotland is participating and going to be impacted by the unique occasion, which runs from August 3 rd -13 th . It is the single biggest cycling event in history, bringing together thirteen existing events into one championship.

The awareness campaign will include maps, business briefings, social media content, community engagement sessions, and paid for media content, including TV, radio and digital adverts. It features advice on how to plan ahead, be prepared, avoid peak travel periods, where to access public transport, and to check before you travel, especially around areas impacted by significant road closures.

• Read further information about travel and transport during the championships on the UCI and Traffic Scotland websites

Get Ready Glasgow and Glasgow City Council will be running a specific stand-alone campaign for residents and businesses.

Key dates and likely impacts include: 

• Aug 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th – this is already a busy weekend for people moving around the country and we have the Glasgow road closures as well as the A82 in play for movements to Fort William
• On Aug 4 th there is also the Gran Fondo event in Perthshire featuring closure of a key junction on the A9 as well as a full closure of the A85 between Perth and Methven
• Aug 6 th is likely to be the busiest day on the network, with closures in and around Edinburgh towards Stirling, most notably on the M9 at Junctions 1A (Newbridge) and 7 (Kinnaird House Interchange) to allow the Men’s elite race to pass over the Queensferry Crossing. There will also be movements from Fort William to Peebles (A82, M8, A720) and closures in and around Glasgow city centre.
• On Aug 12 th there are Glasgow road race closures, movements on A82 to Balloch, movements on A75 Dumfries and M74.
• Aug 13 th , the final day sees Glasgow road race closures and movements on A82 to Balloch, likely to be the 3 rd busiest day.

Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said:

“With only a few weeks to go, a sense of anticipation is clearly building for what is expected to be the biggest cycling event ever to take place here in Scotland. 

“However as well as all of the excitement, it is important our preparations are fit for purpose and that we showcase Scotland in a spectacular and professional light. We were rightly praised for our efforts around Operation Unicorn and now we must rise to the occasion again. 

“We have worked closely with organisers, Police Scotland, local authorities and many others to test travel arrangements, however given the complex nature and scale of this operation road users should expect delays at certain points and on the busier days.

“For the public, spectators, businesses and key responders there is a raft of advice available on the Traffic Scotland, CWC, Scottish Government and public transport operator websites and twitter feeds, including www.traffic.gov.scot/uci   

Hugh Gillies, director at Transport Scotland, said : 

“Scotland has a proud track record of hosting these large scale events, dating back to Glasgow 2014, and more recently COP26 and Operation Unicorn.

“We will need all of that experience and skill to successfully deliver this series of events – and it will genuinely need to be a team effort.

“Traffic modelling shows that we are set for a number of days where queues and congestion are likely, and that’s before we factor in any incidents on the network.

“We really need the public and spectators to play their part and check before they travel, to maximise their enjoyment and ensure Scotland is on the global map for all the right reasons.” 

Paul Bush OBE, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Chair, said:

“Glasgow and Scotland will soon welcome the cycling world for the first of its kind event, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. A huge amount of planning has gone into the event to ensure it delivers tangible benefits for the country while also showcasing to the world all that Scotland has to offer.

“To ensure everyone gets the most out of the Championships, whether you are attending an event or not, please plan ahead and check the relevant websites for the most up to date information to ensure you have the best experience possible.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams, police lead for the event, said:

“We are supporting local authorities and transport planning partners to minimise disruption. The advice is to plan ahead. Our priority is to maximise public safety.”

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All you need to know as Cycling World Championships come to Scotland

Here is everything you need to know before the UCI Cycling World Champions kick off next week.

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Records will be broken, minds (and tyres) blown, medals won, and national anthems belted out across Scotland this August, as the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships comes to venues around the country.

One of the world’s biggest and most important cycling competitions, the events will see some of the world’s best cyclists compete across 13 contests in the ultimate tests of talent, tenacity and toughness.

Over 8,000 cyclists are set to participate in the contests, from August 3 to 13, at a variety of interesting and picturesque venues across the country.

The championships will kick off with a grand opening ceremony in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Where is it and what events are taking place?

The Opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 2, in Glasgow.

The “action-packed” event in the city’s George Square will feature performances from artists and community based organisations including a set from multi-award-winning Scottish singer KT Tunstall.

Acting as hosts are Scottish Commonwealth Games silver medallist Charline Jones and cycling commentator and Glaswegian comedian Alan Anderson.

The event is free and unticketed, serving as the official welcoming to the thousands of amateur and elite cyclists from more than 120 countries.

The Championships run from August 3 to August 13, 2023.

Venues and the corresponding events are as follows:

• Track Cycling and Para-Cycling Track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – August 3 to 9
• BMX Freestyle Park and Flatland at Glasgow Green – August 5 to 10
• BMX Racing at Glasgow BMX Centre – August 6 to 9 and August 12 to 13
• Trials at Glasgow Green – August 9 to 12
• Indoor Cycling – artistic and cycle-ball at the Emirates Arena – August 11 to 13
• Road Events in Glasgow City Centre and the West End – August 4 to 8, and August 12 to 13
• Mountain Bike Cross-country and Mountain Bike Cross-country Marathon in Glentress Forest and Tweed Valley – August 6, and August 8 to 12

Fort William

• Mountain Bike Downhill in Fort William – August 3 to 5

• Individual Time Trial events in Stirling City Centre and west of Stirling – August 9 to 11
• The UCI Men’s Elite Road Race passes through Falkirk on August 6

Dumfries & Galloway

• Para-cycling Road Events in Dumfries and the surrounding area – August 9 to 13
• The Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo Road Races in Perth and surrounding areas on August 4

Dundee & Angus

• The Gran Fondo Indivial Time Trial, east of Dundee on August 7

How do I get there?

Train Most of the event venues are close to train stations with frequent services running to other parts of Scotland and beyond.

Make sure to book your tickets in advance as some services will be busier than usual. Spaces for bikes on trains will be limited, so make sure to book ahead or contact ScotRail before bringing your bike.

There may be changes to bus timetables, stops and routes during the championships due to road closures and traffic. Plan ahead and check with your relevant area’s bus operators.

Walking or cycling

If you’re travelling locally, walking and cycling is the easiest way to get to the championships, with free cycle parking available at all venues.

There is no general parking for spectators at venues, but Blue Badge parking will be available at all venues.

The road network are expected to be busier than usual so it would be easier to leave the car at home and make use of Scotland’s range of public transport options.

Which roads will be closed near me?

The majority of Glasgow city centre will be restricted by closures, to allow the majority of road events will take place – Great Western Road, Queen Street, Sauchiehall Street and Hope Street will have restrictions in place.

A full list of Glasgow’s road closures can be found here .

More maps illustrating the closures can also be found here .

Traffic is expected to be much heavier than normal in the Perth area during the ran Fondo event including on the M90, A90, A85 and A9.

There will be road closures and parking restrictions across Perthshire, and more details can be found here .

Plan your journey ahead of time by using Traveline .

Will football fans be affected?

A big month for sport, August in Glasgow will also see the start of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) seasons.

Football supporters across Glasgow and beyond are urged to plan in advance for matches during the cycling championships, which begin two days before the SPFL kicks off on August 5.

Fans passing through Glasgow city centre on the way to a match elsewhere in Scotland in the SPFL or SWPL during the event may also face delays.

Calum Beattie, the SPFL’s COO, said: “I’m sure football fans across the country are very much looking forward to cheering on their team when the new league season kicks off on August 5.

“Public transport will be particularly busy in Glasgow city centre on our two opening weekends because of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, and we’d simply encourage anyone attending an SPFL or SWPL match to allow extra time for travel so that they can make their game in plenty of time.”

Valerie Davidson, SPT’s chief executive, said: “With football and the UCI Cycling World Championships occurring at the same time, the public transport network will be very busy. We want everyone – staff and customers – to remain safe, and get to their destination on time.

“That does mean planning ahead, and I am sure those travelling to games will factor in the additional time needed.”

British Transport police chief superintendent in Scotland, Gillian Murray, said: “During this period, fans attending any of the Scottish Professional Football League games will notice a lot more police officers on trains and at stations, this is because we expect tens of thousands of more rail passengers due to the UCI Cycling World Championships.

“We will have specially trained uniform and plain clothed officers positioned strategically to make sure football fans, and cycling fans alike, move safely and efficiently across the rail network.”

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ScotRail set to welcome 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships

ScotRail has issued travel advice ahead of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland next month, confirming that Scotland’s Railway is open for business despite numerous road closures. 

In a first of its kind event, the world’s greatest riders will come together to compete in the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships between Thursday, 3 August and Sunday, 13 August. 

Around 8,000 elite and amateur cyclists, from more than 120 countries, will participate in the 11-day championships, taking place in venues and locations in Glasgow and across Scotland.   

Venues in Glasgow include the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Emirates Arena, Glasgow Green, Glasgow BMX Centre in Knightswood, with Dundee & Angus, Perth & Kinross, Dumfries & Galloway, Stirling, Edinburgh, Loch Lomond and the Nevis Range in Fort William all host regions.  

While many roads will close during the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championship, the railway will remain open for business and ScotRail is encouraging customers to make the most of train services as a reliable and convenient way to travel during this time. 

The road closures around Glasgow will have an impact on the shuttle bus service between Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central throughout the event. 

The train operator is advising customers who use the shuttle bus service, and unable to walk between Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central, to consider changing trains at Partick, where possible, for services to Glasgow Queen Street Low Level or Glasgow Central Low Level. Customers travelling to or from the east should consider using services between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh via Shotts, where possible.

Customers who plan to travel with their bike are encouraged to consider using one of the thousands of cycle spaces available at stations across the country.  

Cycle Hubs or racks are available at most ScotRail stations, providing customers with secure storage for bicycles, while promoting sustainable and integrated travel options when travelling around the network. 

Anyone travelling on the rail network during the Championship should plan their journey in advance, considering that services to and from some venues may experience higher demand with spectators travelling to and from the event.  

Full details of the road closures across Scotland are available at  getreadyglasgow.com/cycling-worlds .    

In addition to this, road traffic and travel updates are available on the Traffic Scotland Website. Public Transport updates are available on the Traveline Scotland website and on the Traveline Scotland app. Customers can also phone the Traffic Customer Care Line on 0800 028 1414 for both road and public transport information.  

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Head of Customer Operations, said: “We’re delighted to support the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland, and want to ensure our customers have a seamless travel experience during this exciting event.  

“While some roads may be closed, Scotland’s Railway will remain open, providing safe, reliable, and sustainable transport for customers.  

“Our advice to customers is to plan your journey ahead of time, consider using the Cycle Hubs and racks at stations if travelling with a bike, and allow extra time for travel as there is the potential for some busier services to and from the venues.”  

Hugh Gillies, Transport Scotland Director, said: “With only a few weeks to go, excitement is building ahead of the largest cycling event ever to take place in Scotland.   

“It is a timely reminder for people that cycle hubs or racks are available at most Scotrail stations, as we want this event to promote sustainable, healthy and integrated travel options and deliver a lasting legacy.   

“However, with people being asked to leave the car at home, where possible, rail services will be busier than usual, so passengers should plan ahead, and be aware of higher demand across the network during the various events.   

“We really need the public and spectators to play their part and check before they travel, to maximise their enjoyment and ensure Scotland is on the global map for all the right reasons.”    

Trudy Lindblade, Chief Executive of the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds, said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is the first of its kind event and we look forward to welcoming cycling fans to Glasgow and Scotland for 11 days of incredible sporting action.  

“A huge amount of planning has gone into ensuring this will be fantastic event for all so I encourage everyone, whether you are attending the Championships or not, to plan ahead using the ScotRail website to make sure you have the best day possible.” 

Photo credit: ScotRail

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