TfL awards funding to community groups encouraging walking and cycling

Transport for London (TfL) has awarded more than £400,000 of grants to 60 community and not-for-profit groups that encourage local people to walk and cycle more.

The winning projects target a range of traditionally underrepresented groups such as people with physical disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers, and children with Down’s Syndrome, with the aim to make them feel more confident while walking and cycling in London.

Walking and cycling projects that have received funding this year include:

• StriderZ_n_RiderZ – The Hope of Childs Hill, Barnet: This project will run regular group walking and cycling sessions aimed the over 50s who may be prone to loneliness, particularly those from lower socio-economic groups
• Dare to Ride – Wheels for Wellbeing, Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon, Lewisham: This project will empower Disabled people who currently ride exclusively at their cycling sessions to gradually build up their stamina and confidence to participate in a cycling event, such as RideLondon. This follows seven disabled participants who took part in Freecycle, and a further five in RideLondon 19 last year
• Walkie Talkie – Time and Talents, Southwark: This project will run two complementary walks, focused on the health and wellbeing of older people in the community, in order to tackle loneliness and improve mental health
• Wildlife Walks – Hammersmith Community Gardens, Hammersmith & Fulham: A series of walks around wildlife sites in London and the home counties over the winter period will help the Gardens’ volunteers, who are often socially isolated and vulnerable, to keep more active during a quieter time of year
• Cycling for Children with Coordination Difficulties – NHS, Haringey: Children with coordination difficulties, including dyspraxia and Down’s Syndrome, will be taught how to cycle in order to help overcome their high risk of being excluded from physical activity
• Bereavement Walks – Charlton Athletic Community Trust, Greenwich: Bereaved people will be able to share their experiences with others in a similar situation while walking, as well as accessing counselling support
• Hornbeam Green Walking – The Hornbeam Centre, Waltham Forest: Encouraging women from minority ethnic backgrounds who currently do less than 30 minutes exercise a day to walk regularly. Forest walks will be included to help them learn to explore the local area and learn about the medicinal values of plants
• Step by Step – Icycle, Hackney, Haringey: This project helps disabled children to cycle safely and independently through weekly 1:1 cycling sessions using adapted bikes, teaching them about road safety and how to maintain a bike
• BikeWize – Trailnet CIC, Barking and Dagenham: Young people aged between 14 and 21 years old, will be taught the basics of bike maintenance through a series of courses, increasing their confidence and understanding of bicycles
• Cycle Sisters Redbridge: Encouraging cycling among Muslim women by setting up a women-only cycle group offering led rides and cycle training.