TfL doubles funding for cycling and walking programmes

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that applications are open for more than £500,000 of grants for community and not-for-profit groups that encourage people to walk and cycle.

Walking and Cycling Grants London aims to address barriers to walking and cycling among traditionally underrepresented groups, helping to make London a more sustainable, inclusive and healthy city.

Previously known as Cycling Grants London, 2019’s programme has been expanded to include walking projects for the first time. Funding has been doubled to more than £500,000, with the number of grants available also doubling from 30 to 60. This means more Londoners can benefit from the continuing success of the scheme, and TfL hopes to award funding to at least one project in every London borough.

Each community project can apply for funding of up to £10,000 over three years through the programme, which is delivered by Groundwork London. Current and previous initiatives include cycle training, guided rides and courses teaching basic cycle maintenance. Possible future projects may include guided walks, which encourage people to get active.

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “I’m delighted that walking projects can now also benefit from our expanded grants, and I’m proud that we’ve doubled the funding available.

“By showing Londoners that walking and cycling are convenient, easy and fun ways to get around, we can improve their health and quality of life, as well as reducing toxic air pollution – improving our city for everyone.”

As part of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, the Mayor has set a target to increase the proportion of people walking, cycling and taking public transport to 80 per cent of journeys by 2041, compared to 64 per cent now. Encouraging more Londoners to walk more and take up cycling is an important part of this work.

Miranda Leedham, Head of Customer Marketing and Behaviour Change at TfL, said: “We’re pleased to be expanding this programme, which is targeting the barriers that can put people off getting active. We’ve seen more than 120 projects benefit from our Cycle Grants funding over the years and are looking forward to seeing even more Londoners of all ages and backgrounds get active with our increased funding.”

TfL’s Cycling Grants London programme has helped 120 projects encourage more than 16,000 people to cycle. It has helped contribute to the biggest increase in the amount of cycling in London since records began, with a daily average of 4 million kilometres cycled in 2018 – this is five per cent higher than in 2017.