Biosphere Bikes is based in Girvan, South Ayrshire which is part of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.

About the Biosphere

Our corner of Scotland has been recognised internationally by UNESCO ( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) as a world class environment for people and nature.

The UNESCO Biosphere designation recognises the fantastic array of landsdcapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that South West Scotland offers communities, businesses and visitors to experience and celebrate in a sustainable way. At Biosphere Bikes we hope you can experience all these wonderful things on your bike.

We are the Biosphere. It’s the world in which we live and share with other living things. It’s the soil we grow things in, the air we breathe, and the water we drink and bathe in. All living things are part of the Biosphere and that includes each one of us who lives, works and plays in our UNESCO Biosphere.

If you want to find out more about the Biosphere click here

Explore the Biosphere

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere covers over 5000 square kilometres of South West Scotland. The variety in the landscape, communities and businesses means that whichever part you choose to visit you will have a truly unique experience. Girvan where Biosphere Bikes is located is situated on the Ayrshire coast, 56 miles south of Glasgow. The coastal scenery includes the island of Ailsa Craig, lying just offshore, while inland are lush green hills. South West Scotland is a cyclists paradise, blessed with miles and miles of quiet roads, rolling hills and an ever changing landscape its the ideal place to enjoy multi day rides or day trips.

Whilst we may not have the highest mountains in Scotland our Biosphere certainly has its share of varied and challenging walking from the hiking of remote hill tops surrounded by wide open vistas to gentle forest ambles or rugged coastal walking there really is an opportunity to experience a little bit of everything Scotland has to offer but all within a contained area

The Whithorn Way is a 149 mile pilgrims route from Whithorn in the south of the Biosphere heading up our western edges to Paisley in Glasgow. It celebrates St Ninian who was the favoured saint at the Royal House of Stuart. The Whithorn Way makes its way through Maybole and passes through Girvan heading towards Colmonell and then through Pinwherry to Barrhill.

The Ayrshire Coastal Path runs from Glenapp to Skelmorlie along one of the finest panoramic coastlines in the British Isles that is largely the western edge of our UNESCO Biosphere. With a backdrop of Ailsa Craig and the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde, this coastline is steeped in history and teeming with wildlife.

See Biosphere Bikes featured in youtube film by travel blogger and writer Kathi of ‘Watch Me See’ Scotland on experiencing eco-tourism in the Biosphere.

To Explore more check out the Galloway and Southern UNESCO Ayrshire Biosphere

Looking after the Environment

Biosphere Bikes is committed to reducing and minimising the impact of any activities and operations on the environment.

We will strive to do this with commitment to:

⦁ Adhere to local and national environmental legislation and regulation
⦁ Encourage visitors to explore by bike instead of car
⦁ Use recycled parts and materials whenever possible to reduce waste
⦁ Work with local recycling centre to keep as much as possible from going to landfill
⦁ Encourage wildlife by use of planters around the hub
⦁ Encourage visitors to ‘leave no trace’ to reduce environmental impact from tourism
⦁ Support and work with Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere to achieve best sustainability model ⦁Adhere to the 6 principles of the Biosphere Charter

  1. Help to conserve the natural resources of the Biosphere

  2. Support the economy to benefit local people and nature

  3. Promote cultural heritage and local products

  4. Contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community

  5. Develop knowledge, understanding, and promote research

  6. Raise awareness of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

“Biosphere Bikes will encourage and promote environmental awareness and understanding in all its volunteers and staff. We will also provide customers with information on the Biosphere and the environmental issues.”

Ann Berry
Founder of Biosphere Bikes not-for-profit social enterprise
January 2021