Visit Scotland | Alba

Help shape the future of business support on VisitScotland.org. Giving feedback through our short survey only takes a few minutes.

Complete the short survey
Article published 30/06/2023

A programme of cultural and community activity

Organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships – the biggest cycling event ever – has announced Go Live! an exciting programme of cultural and community participation activity.

It’s happening in Glasgow and across Scotland, to coincide with the UCI Cycling World Championships in August.

This free programme of activity will promote cycling and wellbeing to different audiences. It will be accessible, inclusive and fun.

The programme will showcase ways to get involved in cycling in the community. It will also link Scotland’s communities with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. The event is the first of its kind in history.

Glasgow Go Live!

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 on activity right across the city. Local events will take place in the north east, north west, 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.

Go Live! Programme | Glasgow highlights

  • Fan zones / areas at George Square

    The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships’ official Fan zones / areas will be at George Square. This is where fans will find the road race finishes and medal ceremonies.

    Each day of the event, the city’s civic square will be transformed into a venue showcasing the best of Glasgow and Scotland’s music scene. It will include contributions from Celtic Connections, Piping Live, Glasgow Mela and many other great bands. People can also come and try different sports as well as food and drink offerings.

  • Glasgow city centre and west end

    Go Live! in Glasgow city centre and west end will see vibrant street art entertainment combined with road race viewing areas. Creating a competition hub that appeals to all. There will be fun packed family days at Tollcross International Swimming centre and Cathkin Braes.

  • Glasgow Green

    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.

  • Glasgow Science Centre

    The Glasgow 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. Read the full schedule.

Go Live! Programme | Scotland highlights

  • Glentress, Scottish Borders

    Further afield in the Scottish Borders, Glentress in the Tweed Valley will host two 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. The Mountain Bike Cross-country (which includes four separate mountain bike formats) and Mountain Bike Marathon. Both will be held from 6 and 12 August.

    The Tweed Valley also plays host to a programme of fringe activities for spectators, supporters and the local community. Look out for details closer to the time on its website.

  • Ride the Worlds programme

    Meanwhile, Scottish Cycling launched the Ride the Worlds programme earlier this year, with one of the core components being Experience The Worlds. One of the core components is 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. Read more information on this programme.

  • Power of the Bike

    The Power of the Bike will be across Scotland this August. Each venue area will have information and announcements on these free to attend Go Live! events with what’s on, opening and closing times. See the full schedule and event information.

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.

Paul Bush, OBE, Chair of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships

Further information

From 3 to 13 August 2023, the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships is taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland. It will be the single biggest cycling event in history. It brings together 13 existing UCI World Championships into one mega event for the first time.   

This historic and innovative event will welcome more than 8,000 amateur and elite cyclists from more than 120 countries. It will crown more than 190 UCI World Champions across 13 UCI World Championships.

Events include:

  • 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)

 

The anticipated global TV audience will place the event in the top-10 most watched sporting events in the world. This will rival the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. It will place Scotland on the world stage as a destination for elite cycling and cycle tourism.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is more than just an event. It will be a catalyst for behavioural change across Scotland by giving everyone the opportunity to experience the freedom riding a bike can bring to their lives.

By working in collaboration with cycling and wider partners, the event will amplify and unify existing work. Activity will cover health, transport, tourism, and participation.   

The event will be delivered in collaboration between:

  • the UCI
  • Scottish Government
  • Glasgow City Council
  • UK Sport, British Cycling
  • Glasgow Life
  • VisitScotland with its EventScotland team through 2023 Cycling World Championships Ltd

The partnership will create a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative, and distinctive. 

Related links