Community organisations encouraged to bid for £50,000 to support walking and cycling

10 January 2024

Organisations across West Yorkshire could benefit from up to £50,000 to support more people in their communities to walk, cycle and wheel.

Community groups are being encouraged to bid for funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, to help them become ‘walking and cycling hubs’.

It will allow groups to become one-stop-shops for people to access everything they need to walk, cycle and wheel, including advice and support on routes, equipment, training and group activities.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said:

“We want to encourage more people to walk and cycle in West Yorkshire, not only to help tackle the climate emergency but to improve our health and wellbeing too.

“This investment will enable community groups to help more people reap the benefits of walking and cycling, and I’d encourage all those eligible to apply for it.”

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority already funds 13 organisations across the region as part of the active travel hubs initiative, including Bradford Trident, Bradford Capital of Cycling, New Wortley Community Centre and Colne Valley Cycle Therapy in Slaithwaite.

The next round of funding is now open for social enterprises, registered charities, community interest companies, local authorities and private limited companies registered in the UK to bid for up to £50,000 and expand the existing network.

Aurangzeb Khan, Active Travel Officer at Bradford Trident, said:

“The active travel hub funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has been a great boost to Bradford Trident’s support offer – helping to expand our bicycle library opening times from one day a week to multiple days plus evenings and weekends.

“It has enabled us to support 279 new local residents enhance their cycling skills and confidence, including dozens of women from minority groups, many of whom had never cycled before.

“The funding has been a huge help and momentum has grown throughout the year, enabling many local residents to discover and embrace the joys and benefits of walking, cycling and wheeling.”

To qualify for the funding, an organisation must be able to show it is committed to developing walking, cycling and wheeling in the community.

The deadline for grant applications is midnight on Sunday 18^th February 2024.

For more information and to fill out an application form, visit https://www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk/communityhubs/.