By KLTV Newsdesk –

Up to £5,000 available for grassroots groups to inspire active travel across the region

Organisations across West Yorkshire are being offered a financial boost to get more people walking, wheeling, and cycling, thanks to a community grant scheme from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Local community, voluntary and not-for-profit groups can now apply for grants of up to £5,000 to support projects that encourage active travel in towns and cities across the region.

The funding can be used to support a wide range of initiatives — from low-cost bike hire schemes and free or discounted bike repairs to purchasing walking boots and bike locks and promoting local walking and cycling routes.

Previous recipients of the scheme include Age UK Bradford and District, who created a social walking group for over-55s in Bradford and Keighley; Invictus Wellbeing in Calderdale, who launched one-to-one walk-and-talk sessions for young people; Lightwaves Community Trust in Wakefield, who offered free bike storage for the community; and Music:Leeds, who introduced a series of free music history walking tours across the city.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This investment will enable community groups to help more people reap the benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling.

“By choosing active travel as a way of getting around our region, we’re improving our health and wellbeing as well as tackling the climate emergency.

“I’d encourage all those eligible to apply for this funding as we look to build a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire.”

Samuel Nicholls, Director at Music:Leeds, reflected on the impact the grant had on their organisation: “When we saw there were grants available to help more people get active, we thought it was a great opportunity to bring that together in a series of themed walks, exploring the places, people and stories of our city’s music histories.

“This is the first time we’ve tapped into this kind of funding, so it’s been a new experience for us. It’s given us the space to explore what’s possible.

“We’ve loved being able to bring to the fore the many and varied music histories of Leeds in a way that helps lots of different people get active and discover parts of the city previously unknown and under-appreciated.”

To support applicants, the Combined Authority is running a series of free online and in-person workshops from Thursday 17th April, offering help to refine ideas and improve application writing skills.

Applications are open now and must be submitted by Monday 5th May.

For more information and to apply, visit:
👉 cyclecityconnect.co.uk/community-grants