SACU - NLSQBC                 

This club was formed by Bob Reid as a result of the misuse of Moto-Crossers and Quad bikes in the North Lanarkshire and surrounding areas. We are working together with Strathclyde Police and the Scottish Auto-Cycle Union to educate our young riders on how to ride their Bike or Quad responsibly and to provide a place of safety where they can pursue their sport. 

Statement from Bob Reid (Chairperson of NLSQBC)

"Our club is a new type of recreational club that has been founded to give young people opportunities for personal development and to become responsible citizens. We are committed to providing facilities for the enjoyment of their bikes or quads in a safe environment where bikers will not come into conflict with local communities or the police and I am very proud of what has been achieved in such a short time. I would like to thank all the organisations involved for their support - the council, the police and SACU. I would also like to express my gratitude to Linda Boyce and the North Lanarkshire Volunteer Centre for their help and assistance. We have come a long way, which is great, but there is a still a lot of work to be done. So, let's keep up the good work and get on our bikes!"

Our Objectives

The club is not a race training club - it is purely a recreational club giving riders the opportunity to improve on their riding skills, personal confidence, knowledge of their environment and understand the contribution they can make as responsible riders and members of society. For both riders and adult volunteers as an on-going commitment to rider safety we will be running or organising training courses throughout the year. So have a look around our site, then contact Bob Reid if you are interested in membership. we offer training and development opportunities in First Aid, Marshalling, Bike Maintenance, Riding skills and Rider Coaching.

Our Tracks and Facilities

The Balbackie tracks give young people the opportunity to enjoy biking in a safe and supervised environment. The club has two tracks, one track is used for beginners and general practice and the other is a larger track with jumps, berms, hairpins and table tops.At club meets, riders will be grouped according to their relevant engine capacity and riding ability. Our emphasis is on fun for all whilst ensuring safety is paramount. Hence our track is Marshalled by the parents of our young riders. We also have a state-of-the-art mobile first aid unit on site at all meets and trained members on first aid.

Our Supporters

Believed to be the first biking facility in Scotland - and possibly in the UK - to be developed in conjunction with a local authority, the Balbeckie project has been taken forward thanks to an innovative partnership between North Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde Police , the Scottish Auto Cycle Union (SACU - the national governing body for biking activity) and North Lanarkshire Scramble and Quad Bike Club(NLSQBC). In addition to this it would not be possible to stage events and run the club without the fantastic support and help of the many adult and parent volunteers

Although the nuisance of scramble and quad bikes on public footpaths, roads, green spaces and in country parks is very much a national issue, North Lanarkshire has taken the lead in developing a solution that works for local communities, politicians and - crucially - for the bikers themselves.

As a result of this pro-active approach, more than 300 North Lanarkshire residents are now members of NLSQBC. They have taken part in numerous events to promote the safe and legal use of these vehicles working to the motto of "do not criminalise - legalise". The figures speak for themselves - between 2002 and 2003, the number of complaints received by the police in relation to scramble bike activity fell by around 6,000, which is truly incredible.

Councillor Bill Martin, who is a founder member of the North Lanarkshire scramble and quad bike working group, has been heavily involved in the establishment of the Balbackie facility. He has been presented today with honorary membership of NLSQBC in recognition of the contribution he has made to the project. In addition Chief Inspector David Stephen of Strathclyde Police 'N' Division, received honorary membership of the club along with Andy Russell from SACU, both for their valued support and assistance.

Funding

We have received funding - via Strathclyde Police - of £75,000 from the Community Safety Fund and £15,000 from North Lanarkshire Council as well as equipment and working hours to the value of around £50,000. And the support from SACU has been tremendous, making a big difference to how this project has been taken forward.

NLSQBC remains the forerunner in establishing a safe and secure environment where people from all walks of life can enjoy themselves safe in the knowledge that they are not breaking the law or putting other people at risk.

Putting Back what we take out.

In addition to our goals of providing recreational and development opportunities for all our members we are also committed to the protection and development of our environment. In 2006 the club engaged in carbon offset - every year we will be planting enough trees to offset the carbon produced in following our chosen sport. For 2006 our target is the planting of 2000 trees in north Lanarkshire. We launched this initiative in October at Strathclyde park, Motherwell. A number of young members braved the rain and mud in full gear to put their digging skills to the test! After a short demonstration provided by the Strathclyde Park rangers the team got to it and in no time at all we had 65 silver birch whips right side up in the ground. Or club badge is is one way of showing our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint.... to see more click here

 

 

 

 

 

Go to top of page...