Go Live! and Get Involved in the Biggest Cycling Event Ever! Glasgow and Across Scotland

Organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships - the biggest cycling event ever - today (29 June 2023) announced Go Live! and its exciting programme of cultural and community participation activity, happening in Glasgow and across Scotland, to coincide with the UCI Cycling World Championships in August.

This accessible, inclusive, fun, and free programme of activity will promote cycling and wellbeing to different audiences. It will showcase ways to get involved in cycling in the community and provide tangible links for Scotland’s communities all across the country with this inaugural cycling event – the first of its kind in history.

The Glasgow Go Live! will be a fantastic multi-location programme of activity taking place across the full 11 days of the event from 3-13 August 2023. Glasgow Life is working with partners to programme activity across the city with local event sites in the Northeast, Northwest, and South of the city.

Aimed at promoting healthy and active lifestyles, in the heart of communities, Go Live! also seeks to encourage local groups to deliver projects in their areas.

Check out some of the highlights of Go Live! Programme:

1. George Square: the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships’ official Fan Zones/Areas, that will host the road race finishes and their medal ceremonies. Throughout every day of the event, the city’s civic square will be transformed into a venue showcasing the best of Glasgow’s and Scotland’s music scene, including contributions from Celtic Connections, Piping Live, Glasgow Mela and many other great bands. It will also have opportunities for people to come and try different sports as well as food and drink offerings.
2. Go Live! in Glasgow city centre and west end will see vibrant street arts entertainment combined with road race viewing areas to create a competition hub that appeals to all. There will be fun packed family days at Tollcross International Swimming centre and Cathkin Braes.
3. In addition, Glasgow Green, the venue of BMX Freestyle Park, BMX Freestyle Flatland, and the BMX Racing will also host a Go Live! area including sporting come and try and family orientated activities.
4. TheGlasgow Science Centre will play host to a celebration of cycling, science, and music. The Free Wheelin' Fiesta, featuring bonafide Scottish music legends The Bluebells and BMX Bandits. Full schedule can be found here.

Further afield, southeast of Glasgow, Glentress in the Tweed Valley will host two 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships between 6 and 12 August, for Mountain Bike Cross-country (which will include four separate mountain bike formats) and Mountain Bike Marathon. The Tweed Valley will play host to an exciting programme of fringe activities for spectators, supporters and the local community – look out for details closer to the time by clicking here.

Meanwhile, Scottish Cycling launched the Ride the Worlds programme earlier this year, with one of the core components being Experience The Worlds. This provides opportunities across the length and breadth of Scotland for people to give cycling a try and get a taste of how great it is! Grassroots racing and club sessions enable anyone and everyone the chance to participate. More information on this programme can be found here.

The Power of the Bike will be across Scotland this August and in each venue area there will be information and announcements of these vibrant and community led predominantly free to attend Go Live! events with what’s on, opening and closing times.

Regional authorities websites are to be found here.

Below is a list of the venues for the UCI Cycling World Championships

Venues and Locations:

BMX Freestyle Park (Glasgow Green, Glasgow)

BMX Freestyle Flatland (Glasgow Green, Glasgow)

BMX Racing (Glasgow BMX Centre, Glasgow)

Gran Fondo (Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross)

Indoor (Emirates Arena, Glasgow)

Mountain Bike Cross Country (Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley)

Mountain Bike Downhill (Nevis Range, Fort William)

Mountain Bike Marathon (Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley)

Para-cycling Road (Dumfries & Galloway, and George Square Glasgow)

Para-cycling Track (Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow)

Road (Road Starts: Edinburgh, Loch Lomond; Road Race Finish: George Square, Glasgow; Time Trial: Stirling) 

Track (Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow)

Trials (Glasgow Green, Glasgow)

For full schedule and event information visit https://www.cyclingworldchamps.com

David Lappartient, UCI President said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will not only be a competitive event, but a celebration of our sport both in Glasgow and throughout Scotland. Everyone is invited to be part of this celebration, which will be enhanced by The Go Live! programme.

“This wonderful initiative combining sport, culture and entertainment, will create fantastic opportunities for all members of the population to enjoy the biggest cycling event in history.”

Angus Robertson, Culture Secretary said: “With the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships just weeks away, the launch of the Go Live! programme of activities that will run throughout the event in August is aimed at promoting active lifestyles.

“This is a great opportunity for people to experience the Power of the Bike, as well as try out other sports, in a series of accessible and inclusive activities organised by community groups across the country.”

Paul Bush, OBE, Chair of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships said “Go Live! is an excellent way for communities to get involved and experience the power of the bike up and down the length and breadth of Scotland. These inclusive and innovative programmes are looking to have something for everyone, and people can have a great day or evening out during the event, showcasing Scotland’s talent and strengthen connections – both at home and internationally.

“With this combined offer of elite sport and a vibrant cultural programme the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will help further promote Scotland as the perfect stage for major events, enhancing its reputation for inclusiveness, cultural vibrancy, and creative thinking".

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: ”Building on the legacy of previous sporting events that also offered complementary cultural and activity-based programming, Go Live! gives us an opportunity to support, grow and develop cycling in our communities.

The free performances, events, activities and ‘come and try’ elements of the programme widen the appeal of the UCI Cycling World Championships and let us host more local, community-led, events in wards across the city. In Glasgow, in addition to the official fan zone, we are holding two family fun days at Tollcross Leisure Centre and at Cathkin Braes, and people can also search for local activities through the Glasgow Life website.”

For more on where to find the UCI Cycling World Championships Go Live! Fan Areas go here