We had a fantastic & fun afternoon with the P1 and P6 children from Killearn Primary School as part of our Cycling, Wheeling and Walking event! 
The kids made tasty smoothies using pedal power and decorated their bikes with bike spoke beads, stickers and reflective tape & we discussed safe routes to school and changes they would like to see around the school.
Thank you, Killearn Primary School and to all the pedalling children. 
A fantastic turnout at the Cycling, Wheeling and Walking event last week. A big thank you to all the local groups and volunteers who made this happen and the local people who supported it!
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!
The ‘Cycling Killearn’ project is delighted to be involved in Killearn’s Active Travel project. Both projects share the aim of promoting cycling for local journeys – benefiting the environment and personal wellbeing.
When Cycling Killearn was launched earlier this year, our initial priority was to understand residents’ interest in cycling, any perceived barriers and how these might be overcome. A group of master’s students from Strathclyde University were engaged to undertake a research and consultation project.
The students undertook an online survey which was widely promoted through posters, flyers and the village’s Facebook groups. This generated 168 responses. The students also facilitated a community consultation. This open event brought together residents with an interest in cycling to discuss the barriers and share ideas on how they might be overcome. It was well attended, with 31 people enthusiastically participating in facilitated workshop sessions.
The main barriers are a lack of:
We are now working on an Action Plan. This will include organising bike maintenance workshops, offering training courses, leading guided rides and providing route maps. Additionally there are plans for more cycle parking at the Village Hall. We’re also seeking to encourage people to support each other by connecting at events and on social media.
The research identified significant interest in ebikes. Did you know that we have four community ebikes? These are available to hire by anyone who lives or works in the village. You need to be over 18 years of age. Details can be found at https://www.kcfc.co.uk/cycling.html.
Since our research identified the state of the cycling infrastructure as the greatest barrier we’ll be working with the Killearn Active Travel project to call for improvements. Please lend your voice by joining @CyclingKillearn on Facebook and Instagram. We’d love you to get involved!
Sarah Deas – ‘Cycling Killearn’ co-lead and member of ‘Killearn Active Travel’ Advisory Group
I am the councillor for Ward 2 which stretches from Fintry to Strathblane. There are a dozen delightful villages scattered across the area connected by country roads which leave much to be desired – but that’s another story!
To walk, cycle or e-bike along them means risking injury or even death. We all realise this and so we don’t do it. The notion of cycling with my grandchildren from Balfron (where I live) to Killearn (where they live) fills me with dread!
Yet think how pleasant it would be if we had cycle paths and walkways criss-crossing the whole area, connecting the villages. It would certainly encourage people to be out and about and enjoying our countryside instead of taking their car and scurrying from one place to the next.
I have 2 sons and 2 grandchildren who live in Switzerland. Hence I have seen at first hand the benefit of such a network. My youngest son e-bikes to work, a distance of 30kms from Thun to Bern, along a cycle path that takes him into the city. My 15 year old grandson cycles to school, a distance of 4kms, in complete safety along one of the many cycle paths to be found in Thun.
Remember this is a crowded country with roads like ours yet they have still managed to make it work.
So what are the benefits?
1. Fewer cars on the roads therefore a greener environment.
2. Enjoyable exercise hence a healthier population.
3. Exercise that can start at a young age and is fun for the family to do together.
4. How about establishing kiosks at strategic points where snacks and cold drinks can be bought while at the same time bicycles and e-bikes can be hired for one way or return journeys? I think that would boost our holiday visitors while at the same time employing a few people – students spring to mind. Incidentally, I have seen it work in Switzerland.
I am sure you can think of other benefits. With so many, why aren’t we working, collectively, on the project now? The easy answer is there is no joined-up thinking.
I’ll leave you with that thought.
Written by Cllr Paul Henke
Killearn Active Travel