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Killearn Active Travel Path Update

Sustrans grassroots funding now in the hands of Transport Scotland and Stirling Council: we need your support now more than ever!

Following much work and liaison by members of our community over the last decade to try to develop a better active path (cycling, wheeling, walking) infrastructure for Killearn, and 10 months on from our application for stages 3&4 (Detailed Design) of the Sustrans Places for Everyone fund for two active paths: one from Killearn down to Cala homes development/Oakwood, the other from Balfron to Killearn – we are now in a position to update you.

It is with mixed feelings that we report the Places for Everyone funding has now been moved from Sustrans and sits in Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) and going forward, it will be up to Stirling Council on whether they deem our paths suitable for further progression as part of their Active Travel Plan. This changes a lot and takes the possibility of applying for this funding for the next stage out of the hands of the community – and essentially into the hands of Stirling Council.

Killearn Active Travel Logo

Here is the feedback regarding our two active paths from Sustrans/Transport Scotland:

Killearn Active Travel Path: Station Road down to Oakwood

For this path, Sustrans told us that our application for stages 3-4 would have been recommended to Transport Scotland for funding via the Active Travel Transformation Fund had it been led by a Local Authority or Regional Transport Partnership. 

We have been told that we need to keep in contact with Stirling Council who may choose to apply for funding for the delivery of our project. 

Stirling Council’s Sustainable Development Manager, David Hopper has told us that he supports this path and that it will be considered when the Council looks at its rural paths priorities next year.

What will we do next? We will continue to liaise with David Hopper and his team regarding this path, and also the landowners involved. We have also been told that funding for projects is still subject to finalisation of the Scottish Budget, and the availability of funds to Transport Scotland.

We are very reliant on being supported by Stirling Council for funding from the ATIF and will aim to continue our liaison with David Hopper and his team. We are also still continuing discussions with landowners.

Active Travel Path: Killearn to Balfron

This application was unfortunately deemed unsuccessful by Sustrans Stages 3-4 funding, as at the last moment we could not gain full support from David Hopper and his team at Stirling Council for our application.  This was very disappointing for our team as most of the land is under private ownership and we have had support from landowners.

We were told that we can still ‘go ahead and apply for ATIF for funding through our Local Authority, Regional Transport Partnership or (where appropriate) your National Park Authority, should this still be sought.’ 

The reason that we were given was that “Killearn Community Futures Company were unable to agree with Stirling Council that the Killearn to Balfron was part of SC’s prioritisation for delivery through construction.”  

The positives are that although this is not an immediate priority for Stirling Council, a link from Killearn to Balfron is included in the Kings Highway Active Travel Path. We will continue to liaise with David Hopper and his team about this.

Meanwhile, the Killearn Paths Group now has good contact with the other rural paths groups in Balfron, Buchlyvie, Blanefield/Strathblane, Drymen, Gargunnock and Kippen, and we will continue to meet as a group supporting our community to create a good network of active travel paths in the area. Unless funding comes from elsewhere, this will be through working with Stirling Council.

How can you help keep the work on these projects going?

We need your support!

Our paths group will be looking at other avenues of funding and keeping in touch with everyone on www.killearnactivetravel.blog and our various social channels, so please do follow us on this journey. This may seem like a setback, and that things are painfully slow, however we remain positive and will likely be asking for your support in the future. 

Please do get involved and keep up-to-date – these two projects started as grass roots projects and we would very much like them to continue.

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“My fondest memory is the first time I ventured out on a bike on my own”: Interview with Keith of Country Cycles

Earlier in the summer, we caught up with Keith McLellan of Country Cycles in Killearn who is a supporter of the Killearn Active Paths projects. Read on to find out how he came to be in the bike business, his thoughts on active travel and improving the path network, and more…

Hi Keith, can you tell us a bit about how you got into the bike shop business?

Having been involved in the cycling industry since I was 16, I had never envisioned myself opening a bike shop. However, about nine years ago, a small shop became available at Mugdock Country Park, situated right in the heart of the trails. At that time, I was already operating a cycle hire business, so seizing the opportunity to expand seemed like the logical choice. The shop, occupying only about 20 square meters, presented the perfect chance to broaden my business operations. [add a bit in about current shop]

Do you have a favourite bike that you like to sell?

I am drawn to the innovation and lightweight design of the new e-bikes featuring the advanced Bosch system. Both the Orange Bike Range and Cube e-bikes offer impressive options with their lightweight features.

And have you taken any particular steps to make your bike shop environmentally friendly?

We consistently use eco-friendly products in our workshop, including lubes and cleaners. We don’t deal with many second-hand bikes, however we make sure to dispose of and recycle bikes responsibly so that others can use them. For proper disposal, we work with a local recycling company.

What do you think are the main benefits of choosing active travel over other forms of transportation?

The great thing about choosing cycling, wheels and walking over other forms of transportation is the positive impact it has on our health and the environment. Cycling is not only good for our well-being but also helps to reduce the burden on healthcare systems. It’s also a fantastic way to contribute to environmental sustainability by cutting down on carbon emissions. Despite the challenges posed by our car-centric culture and the convenience of driving, it’s important to recognise these challenges and work together to make more sustainable transportation choices.

How do you think communities can better support active travel like biking and walking?

I believe we need a joined up plan that brings together two important aspects. Firstly, we should improve the path network, making it safe, pleasant, and well-maintained. It’s important for Councils to recognise the benefits of investing in a good path network for walking and cycling. This will encourage people to choose these routes as they are often safer. Secondly, let’s promote respect and consideration for one another. We need to work on creating a kinder and more considerate community where all road users – whether cyclists, walkers, or drivers – treat each other with courtesy. By being a little nicer to one another, we can all benefit. I think these changes are really important for making our communities better for everyone.

What is your favorite biking memory?

I have had many great biking experiences, such as completing the Great Glen Way and the West Highland Way in a day. However, my fondest memory is the first time I ventured out on a bike on my own. It was an incredible feeling of freedom, and I vividly recall the transition from tarmac to dirt as I rode. Whether it’s cycling, surfing, skiing, or anything else, there’s a unique feeling of flow when you’re completely focused on what you’re doing. The first time I experienced that flow was on that bike ride, and it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.

How has biking influenced your views on sustainability?

Initially, sustainability wasn’t at the forefront of my cycling. Cycling was fun, and that’s where it all starts. However, sustainability is a benefit, and the more we learn about it, the more we realise we should prioritise it. Fun is the primary reason we cycle—if it’s not fun, we wouldn’t do it. But the sustainability side of things is becoming increasingly important.

Even for small commutes, having a dedicated path network, would reduce stress and make it more enjoyable for people.

And finally, what advice would you give to someone who is new to biking or considering switching to biking as their primary mode of transportation?

E-bike, all the way. If you’re new to biking or thinking about biking as your main mode of transportation, I’d recommend an e-bike. It makes cycling, especially uphill (of which we have many in Scotland!) more enjoyable and overall enhances the experience. Using an e-bike can make cycling to work or anywhere else a lot more fun and less of a struggle. Give it a try and you’ll see that it’s more about enjoying the ride than enduring the effort.

Pop in and say hello to Keith and the team at Country Cycles, located at Oakwood Garden Centre. Check them out here http://www.country-cycles.com or watch out for events and other happenings on their Facebook or Instagram.

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Changes to Sustrans Places for Everyone funding programme

Crispin Hayes, Whole Cycle Ltd,  lead consultant to the Killearn Active Travel projects gives us his reaction to the changes in funding by Transport Scotland that will affect this and other active path community projects 


In February this year, Transport Scotland announced a decision to wind up the Sustrans Places for Everyone funding programme over the next year and a half, finally closing in September 2025, and not providing any new construction funding from now. 


Transport Scotland’s replacement is a new construction fund that will be distributed direct to Local Authorities only and not community organisations. I think that is a pity because community organisations have a much greater focus on working for their local community. My concern is that communities will lose control of their project, because essentially they do the design stages, and then hand it over to the Council to do the construction. 


It also risks projects like the Killearn active travel projects not being near the top of the Council’s large pool of projects. And it is subject to other political and budget factors outside the community’s control. 


Our current approach is to liaise closely with Council officers to ensure they are stakeholders in these design stages, and that local support means the project has to be considered seriously for construction.


As we said previously, Killearn-Oakwood travel path and Killearn to Balfron path projects applied in May 2024 to our funder Sustrans Places for Everyone to move to Stages 3 & 4 Developed Design. We expect to hear about the result of that funding application in late June or July, and we will update when we do know. We understand that it will be a competitive round, so fingers crossed. 

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My fietsen! Bike stories: Sonja from Whole Cycle

Sonja Potjewijd, from the Netherlands is one of the consultants who has been working on Killearn Active Travel path projects. She explains how cycling has always been part of her life, and now living in Scotland she is working to help develop a better cycling awareness and infrastructure here.

I have so many wonderful memories of my adventures with bicycles! As a kid, I absolutely loved going on bike rides with my parents. Every outing felt like a brand new adventure, with so much to explore and see. In the Netherlands, where I’m from, cycling is just a natural part of our everyday lives. I have so many vivid memories of sitting on the special kids’ seat and joining my parents on their daily errands.

My cycling journey began when I got my first bike with stabilizers at the age of 3. I felt like such a cool kid, riding around in my red jacket and hat, exploring the friendly streets of my neighbourhood. Whether I was riding alone or with all the kids from our street, every bike ride was filled with excitement and joy.

With such a great biking infrastructure in the Netherlands, no matter the weather – whether it was sunny, rainy, or snowy – I hopped on my bike to go to school, the park, sports activities, or to meet up with friends. I even enjoyed cycling with my grandparents through the beautiful woodlands on weekends. During holidays, we’d load our bikes onto the car and go on adventures across the Netherlands, discovering all the hidden gems of the country. There’s just so much to see and experience when you’re out and about on your bike, and the feeling of freedom and happiness it brings is simply unbeatable.

One of my most beloved bikes was a vibrant yellow and blue one I received as a gift when I finished primary school and transitioned to secondary school. I have so many wonderful memories with that bike, from carrying my school bag and gymnastics gear to having my best friend Linda on the back and using it for delivering papers during my first job, as well as for camping gear and picnic supplies. There’s nothing quite like spending time outdoors with friends and enjoying a lovely picnic!

During my university days, I had a worn-out, unassuming bike to deter potential thieves. This trusty bike carried all sorts of props for theatre plays, including up to four chairs at a time, as well as memories of my first real boyfriend.

As I grew older, I invested in a more expensive bike that has accompanied me on adventures across the globe, from cycling north to south in the Netherlands, to exploring from Bangkok to the mountains above Chiang Mai, and even embarking on journeys from Washington D.C. to Virginia.

Having recently moved to Scotland, I find myself missing the sense of freedom and security I felt while cycling in the Netherlands. This longing has motivated me to get involved in supporting organisations like Sustrans and local groups such as Killearn Active Travel project with the goal of creating a more bike-friendly culture and infrastructure in Scotland and contributing to the development of shared-use path projects.

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Project Update

📣 Project update!

We are delighted to announce that we have completed Stage 2 of the Killearn Active Travel Project. 🚴‍♂️🦼🛴🚶‍♀️ This involved, among other things, creating concept designs for the proposed paths and liaising with landowners.

We have submitted our application for the next stage of funding for Stages 3-4 to Sustrans, and we will find out if we are successful with this application around June/July.

If we are, the next stage will see us further develop the route concepts and incorporate technical details. We will also identify travel interventions, test the implications, and engage with the community, asking for your feedback on the routes and activities along the way.

Watch this space as we continue to share our progress with the community, and sign up for our mailing list at the link below for more updates.

Contact

We look forward to receiving your valuable feedback, so please do get in touch or let us know if you’d like to get involved with the project.

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Killearn Active Travel Paths Project Update

We started 2024 on the Killearn Active Travel Path Project by welcoming some new faces to the working group.  They will be helping progress both this and the Killearn to Balfron Active Path. We’d like to thank Kenneth Alexander who is retiring from the Killearn to Balfron project, for all his hard work.

What is an active path? A path that provides the ability for people to walk, cycle or wheel (mobility scooters, prams, etc.) from A to B.

Both the Killearn Active Travel Path project and the Killearn to Balfron Active Path project are at Sustrans stages 0-2. We will continue to work with Sustrans on meeting their deliverables, and we hope to hold a further consultation with the village. Both projects will be coming to the end of stages 0-2 this year, and we would like to be able to take them to the next stage.

Last year, an advisory meeting of local businesses and groups was held and further meetings will take place this year. The Killearn Active Travel event was held in September.

Community feedback is always important. Let us know If you have any comments on the project or would like to get involved.

Written by Caroline Carrick

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Cycling, Wheeling and Walking event, Killearn Courier Article – November 23

On one of the last glorious sunny days in September, residents of Killearn came together with a shared eagerness to learn about active travel in Killearn. From nursery and primary school kids to community members and local groups, from local businesses to Stirling Council, everyone shared a curiosity for active travel, making this event fruitful and fun.

The first part of the event took place at Killearn Primary School, where the P1 and P6 children were invited to share their active travel experiences. It was a delight to see so many bikes and scooters in all shapes and colours parked outside the school, as those pupils who were able to scooted or biked to school.

In the classroom, the children had an opportunity to share what they liked and disliked about the journey to school, followed by a lively discussion on how we can improve the area to make the trip more pleasant and safe.

Outside, the children had great fun pedalling to make delicious and healthy smoothies on the famous smoothie bike and got creative by decorating their bikes and helmets with colourful stickers and other bike decorations. It was a fantastic and engaging afternoon, and the kids shared some clever and creative ideas that can help shape the Killearn Active Project and the School Travel Plan.

The second part of the event started in the evening at our beautiful village hall. Local groups involved in active travel showcased their projects and invited the community to try an e-bike or learn more about Alba Nordic Walks or Local Place Plans. Also featured was a Dr Bike session with Country Cycles, cargo bike trial sessions, the smoothie bike, kids activities, a fabulous display of photographs, short quotes, and colouring-in pictures from the nursery kids, all accompanied by free tea and cake.

It was also a chance to learn more about the Killearn Active Travel Project and the proposed routes (which are only very early discussions). There is currently no safe active travel route for walking, biking or wheeling between the growing community to the south of Killearn and Killearn village. Parking in Killearn village, particularly around the primary school where congestion is a big problem, is minimal. There is no public transport to link the two areas or for those south of Killearn to travel further afield, as buses run from Killearn village.

An attractive, safe off-road route between the south of Killearn and Killearn village would link these two areas of Killearn. A fit-for-purpose path will encourage more regular walking, biking, and wheeling for everyday journeys for the growing community. The Killearn Active Travel project is working towards the realisation of this change. This proposed path can significantly foster wheeling, cycling and walking, especially for everyday journeys to school, work or the shops. It creates many benefits not only for those
involved in active travel but also for the Killearn community by decreasing traffic congestion, helping tackle the climate emergency, and improving mental and physical health and happiness.

During the event, we asked the participants to give their thoughts on the project, the proposed route and traffic calming measures. Overall, people are very supportive of the proposed path as an alternative to Station Road and see this as a priority. It was also clear that the majority of the respondents would like to see speed reduction in Killearn. Some measurements, such as speed cushions, have strong support, while others are less popular, such as speed bumps.

This project envisions welcoming and safe paths for all everyday journeys, including school runs. We hope to make this happen so that young and old and everyone in between can enjoy active travel in wider Killearn.

Many thanks to everyone who joined the event. Your support and enthusiasm made it a fantastic gathering!

Caroline Carrick, a member of the Killearn Community Council, said:
“It was great to see such a big turn out to the active travel event with so many people participating and interested in leaving feedback on how we can improve walking, cycling, and wheeling in the village. A big thank you to everyone who came along and all those who helped make it a success.”

Thank you to: Cycling Killearn, Country Cycles, Alba Nordic Walks, Killearn Path & Heritage Group, Stirling Council, Killearn Driving School, Killearn Tennis Club, Killearn Community Council and Killearn Primary School.

This Article appeared in The Courier (November 23 Edition) Please sign-up here https://killearnactivetravel.blog/contact/ and opt in for communications to receive further details on the project as it progresses.

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Cycling Wheeling Walking Event

Come along to the Killearn Active Travel, cycling, wheeling and walking event on Tuesday 5 September in Killearn Village Hall from 5-7pm.

We’ll get together to learn and share ideas on walking, cycling and wheeling for everyday journeys.

Find out all about active travel and let us know how we can improve it within the community, to offer safe biking, wheeling and walking for all.🚶🚴‍♂️🚲🛴🦽

Bring your bike! Country Cycles will offer free cycle maintenance checks and advice, and everyone can try an e-bike or cargo bike.

There will be information about active path route options for Killearn Active Travel Project and the Killearn to Balfron path, a chance to find out about the Killearn Local Place Plan, and how you can get involved in shaping our community, discover walking paths, meet walking groups and our very own Cycling Killearn group.

Kids will have the chance to decorate their bikes or scooters and pedal to make a smoothie on the smoothie bike.

The evening is free for everyone, and refreshments are provided.

We’d love to see you there!

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Funding for walking, cycling and wheeling

Exciting news! Killearn Community Futures Company is very pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant through Places for Everyone, an active travel infrastructure programme funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans, to create better walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure in wider Killearn to foster more active travel and liveable neighbourhoods.

For more information about the project, see the infographic below:

Stay tuned for regular updates on the project!