£50k funding offered to encourage 'active travel'

West Yorkshire Combined Authority said the grants were aimed at encouraging more people to walk, wheel or cycle

Community organisations have been urged to apply for funding of up to £50,000 to become "active travel hubs" in a bid to get more people walking, wheeling and cycling.

The cash would be used to create one-stop shops for people to access everything they needed to get around under their own power, according to West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

That would include equipment, training and group activities, as well as advice and support on routes, a spokesperson said.

Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "We are encouraging people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling as a way of getting around, leading to healthier and happier lifestyles."

"This will help us achieve our net zero ambitions and create a cleaner, greener West Yorkshire," Ms Brabin explained.

"I'd encourage all community organisations eligible to apply for this funding to come forward and get involved."

'Fantastic initiative'

A previous £50,000 grant from WYCA's active travel hubs programme helped the creation of the Shipley Active Travel Hub in 2023.

The funding meant a manager could be employed to run the hub, the workshop could be renovated, bikes for cycling lessons could be bought and equipment for bike maintenance classes could be acquired.

The hub now supports hundreds of people to get out and about in the local community.

Adrian Aylmer, the hub's manager, said: "We had a vision for an active travel hub in Shipley to make it more accessible for people to get out and about by bike or on foot, and the funding we received helped bring that to life.

"It's a fantastic initiative that has helped us provide all sorts of walking and cycling activities, from adult cycling lessons, bike maintenance classes and group rides, to cultural initiatives – and the people in our community have really benefited."

The grants are being offered with the aim of getting more people onto two wheels, as well as to encourage people to walk

Since 2022, WYCA has funded 26 organisations across the region as part of the walking and cycling hubs initiative, investing more than £1m over the years.

The next round of funding was 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, a WYCA spokesperson said.

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

The deadline for grant applications is midnight on 29 June.

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