TfL invests £580,000 in new Walking and Cycling Grants program (original) (raw)

Transport for London (TfL) and the London Marathon Foundation have awarded more than £580,000 of funding to 55 new projects run by community groups as part of the Walking and Cycling Grants (WCGL) programme.

Each investment will make a difference to communities across the capital, funding local organisations to deliver projects that get more Londoners walking and cycling. More than £328,000 of the funding has been awarded to 134 existing projects, to continue their important work in the community.

WCGL aims to make walking and cycling more representative of London’s diverse communities, with successful projects targeting a wide range of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. These include those from minority ethnic backgrounds, those living with disabilities, people on low income, homeless people, refugees, asylum seekers and people from the LGBTQ+ community.

The projects aim to improve participants’ confidence in walking and cycling in London, while enabling people to connect with their local communities, learn new skills, and improve their physical and mental health.

They will also help to break down the barriers that prevent people from getting active and ensure everyone in the capital can enjoy the health and economic benefits of walking and cycling.

“We are very excited to award grants to 55 new projects this year and continue to make walking and cycling accessible for all Londoners. Walking and Cycling Grants London has played a vital role in increasing representation of London’s diverse communities and we’re looking forward to seeing the results of these inspiring projects, which are removing the barriers for people from diverse backgrounds to travel more actively and sustainably around the capital,” says Miranda Leedham, head of customer marketing & behaviour change at TfL.

Newly funded projects include:

• London Hand Cycling Club run by Regain the Trust for Sports Tetraplegics.
• Positive Black Hikers by River House Trust: bi-weekly walks for Black African and Caribbean people living with HIV.
• Babes on Bikes (BOB) by Future Challenges: Empowers ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ people, and women to cycle.
• Positive Cycles by Single Homeless Project: Mechanics sessions and monthly cycling trips for young people experiencing homelessness.
• Silver Cycling by Wheely Tots: Professional cycling sessions for adults over 60 to improve health and reduce social isolation.
• Motion Makers by Creative and Connected Communities: Walking and cycling to support ethnic minority groups, disadvantaged individuals, and young people to improve health and well-being.
• BAME Women’s Bicycling Initiative by Newham African Initiative Development: Supports ethnic minority groups, women, refugees, and asylum seekers to cycle.
• Re/Walk by InspiralLondon CIC: Themed walks to support cultural exchange and environmental awareness among ethnic minority groups and those with non-physical health issues.
• The Furzedown Strollers by The Furzedown Project: Walking group to support socially isolated older adults and LGBTQ+ people.
• Silver Cycling by Wheely Tots: Supports ethnic minority groups, disadvantaged people, and adults over 60 to improve health and reduce social isolation.
• Walk the Line by New Pathways: East London walking group to improve physical activity, boost mental well-being, and foster social relationships within the community.

The WCGL scheme is jointly funded in partnership with The London Marathon Foundation and is part of a five-year programme to inspire Londoners to cycle and walk.

Since it began, TfL’s Walking and Cycling Grants London programme has supported 339 projects across the London boroughs. This has encouraged more than 77,000 participants across London to walk and cycle.

“The Mayor and TfL are committed to making walking and cycling accessible to all. That’s why I’m delighted the Walking and Cycling Grants Programme continues to support these important projects that remove barriers to active travel for traditionally underrepresented groups. We know what an impact these projects are having in their communities, enabling Londoners from all backgrounds to walk and cycle, and supporting the Mayor’s aim to build a fairer, greener, more accessible London for everyone,” says Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner.

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