Obituary: John Taylor

John was well known locally as an enthusiastic and determined advocate on many issues including transport, access rights and especially cycling, both on and off road.  He was influential within CTC Scotland and with external agencies, ranging from SNH to the Forestry Commission.

When John worked for Forestry Commission Scotland, he was responsible for many of the early assessments of forest cycling routes in the area, establishing more than 200 miles of cycle routes.  This developed into the hugely successful 7stanes mountain biking centres across Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders.

In order to co-ordinate local cycling activity, John, as a founder-member of the Galloway Cycling Group since 1986, helped steer it to become an independent Members' Group – CTC Dumfries & Galloway.

With the backing of the CTC, the largest cycling organisation, as secretary of CTC Dumfries & Galloway, John fought tirelessly for cycling in Dumfries and Galloway.  He originated the 'Discovery' rides, a series of short and easy rides for occasional cyclists and families.   John was also one of the founders of the Kirkpatrick Macmillan cycle rally which celebrates the invention of the pedal bicycle, in Dumfries and Galloway.

In 2004 John’s efforts over many years were recognised when he won the CTC Volunteer of the Year Awarded for Scotland, and was joint winner of the award for the whole of the UK.

Phil Howard, Chair CTC Dumfries & Galloway Members Group.