Minister visits Active Travel Hub, Kilmarnock

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson visited the Active Travel Hub in Kilmarnock today to find out more about the service it provides to our communities.

Delivered in partnership with Sustrans, the Active Travel Hub, which is based within Kilmarnock station community village, encourages and supports our communities to be healthier and greener by promoting active ways of travelling. 

The Active Travel team provides instructor-led walks and cycle rides, can help with personal travel planning, cycle maintenance, cycle confidence skills sessions and can provide walking and cycling buddies to increase confidence and therefore encourage active travel.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “The Kilmarnock Active Travel Hub is making a real difference by supporting residents and visitors, which has directly contributed to our national vision of developing an Active Nation where more people can choose to walk and cycle than ever before.  Whilst the Scottish Government has been providing funding through the Smarter Choices Smarter Places initiative, the success of the Hub would not be possible without the staff and volunteers who have delivered over 500 events since 2018, with just over 5000 people benefitting from the opportunities on offer as a result.”

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: “I was delighted to attend the Active Travel Hub in Kilmarnock with Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson. The Active Travel team runs a full timetable of behaviour change activities including led walks, bike ride confidence building sessions, puncture repair workshops, free security marking and walk or ride leader training. Bikes including electric bikes are available free of charge to all ride participants and are also available for free loans to our partner organisations.

“The team also works with colleagues from Active Travel Hubs in neighbouring authorities and partner organisations to ensure that best practise is shared and that they maximise the promotion of active travel to communities and local groups. Officers from the team spoke to the Cabinet Secretary about people who have benefitted from taking part in Hub walks or rides. We're pleased to hear that people who first tried electric bikes through the Hub have gone on to buy their own bikes and are now cycling regularly for leisure or for their commute to work."

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