Quick ways to volunteer in Scotland

Short on time but want to volunteer? If you live in Scotland, here's our list of quick and easy actions you can take to make a difference in your community.

Six quick ways you can help on the National Cycle Network
  

Do a #2minutecleanup on your local route

Pick up litter on a walk or cycle, putting it into a bin or taking it home.

Please use gloves and don't touch sharps.

And remember to share your photos on social media using the hashtag #2minutecleanup.
  

Clean signs on the Network

Make sure any easy-to-reach Network signage is free of graffiti, grime or obscuring vegetation.

If signage is missing or pointing in the wrong direction, email scotsigns@sustrans.org.uk including a picture, note of the location and comments.
  

Cut back vegetation

Snip back stray brambles or other vegetation from the path edges.
  

Tell a local community group about our funding opportunities

Take a look at the ArtRoots and Love Your Network funding pages to see how we can help.
  

Record the wildlife you see on the National Cycle Network 

Use the Sustrans form on the iRecord app or iRecord website.
  

Report a maintenance problem

Make sure you report things like potholes, fallen trees or fly-tipping through a local authority reporting system or on a public website like FixMyStreet.

You can also let us know at scotland@sustrans.org.uk. We can pass it on if it’s not our responsibility.
   

Ready to get started? Find your local route on the National Cycle Network.

10 quick ways to support our work in Scotland

Write to your local councillors and MPs

By expressing your support for walking, cycling and wheeling, you will help to shape their view of what is important locally.

If you get in touch with an elected representative, it's important that you do so as a member of the public and do not claim to represent the position of Sustrans or any other organisation you are involved with through volunteering.

 

Respond to Consultations

Consultations range in size from local planning developments to changes to national policies and responding to these can have a direct impact on whether or not something is approved.

If you respond to consultations, it's important that you do so as a member of the public and do not claim to represent the position of Sustrans or any other organisation you are involved with through volunteering.

You can often find consultation online by searching for consultations and the name of your local authority.

 

Learn about our infrastructure projects 

Find out more about Places for Everyone’s inspiring walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure projects across Scotland and keep up-to-date with the latest news.

 

Tell your workplace about travelling actively to work

Walking or cycling to work, and encouraging others to do the same, is a great way of fitting more physical activity into your busy daily routine.

There's no better way to enjoy the beginning and end of the work day.

 

Help grow #AndSheCycles

We want to build an online movement for young women who are interested in cycling. Help spread the word with the teenage girls in your life. They can find #AndSheCycles on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Do you have an inspiring story to share with our followers? Get in touch with us.

 

Find #AndSheCycles support online

Do you know a youth group or school that's empowering teenage girls to cycle? Encourage them to check out available support and funding.

 

Get your school involved

Write to them to ask them to join our inter-school walking and cycling competition, the Big Walk and Wheel.

A template will be available here in time for 2024's competition.

 

Find tools to encourage cycling to school

Download our bike bus toolkit and share it with your local school.

Top tip: you could email it to the parent council.

 

Let your school know about the Temporary School Streets Fund

Let your local school know about the Temporary School Streets Fund.

A fund for schools who want to trial changes to traffic flow and improve the look and feel of the street to encourage walking and cycling to school.

 

Download active travel resources

Are you a primary school teacher or do you know one?

Check out our active travel resources for teachers complete with ready-made lesson plans.