Transport for London (TfL) has today opened applications for its Walking and Cycling Grants London (WGCL) programme, with more than £550,000 of grant funding available for community and not-for-profit groups to encourage Londoners to walk and cycle. Each successful applicant will receive up to £5,000 over one year.
The WCGL programme aims to enable more people to walk and cycle in London by identifying and addressing the barriers that prevent people from getting active and making more sustainable and healthy choices. Through these grants, participants will be given the chance to engage their local communities in getting active and improving their physical and mental health.
Funded by TfL, in partnership with The London Marathon Foundation, and administered by Groundwork London, the grants aim to help Londoners develop the confidence to opt for active travel, including cycling and walking. Applicants for the grants will be considered based on how their idea could positively impact their local community and encourage more walking and cycling.
To date, the scheme has helped more than 89,000 unique participants across 32 boroughs and the City of London through activities tailored to their needs. Activities such as rides for children with disabilities, led rides for members of the LGBTQ+ community, classes to learn cycling or bike repair as well as walks for people suffering from ill health or isolation, have helped many Londoners benefit from active travel.
Last year, 57 new projects were awarded funding through the scheme bringing the total number of projects supported since 2016 to 395.
This includes key projects delivered by London Cycling Campaign, Cycle Sisters and Joyriders as well as grassroots organisations such as Two Mindful Bees in Lewisham, Harrow Cycle Hub and Ambition, Aspire, Achieve in Newham.
In addition to making a sum of £5,000 available to successful candidates, applications for Community Ideas Grants are also open to help kickstart smaller projects across London that are based on previous successes in other communities. To establish an equitable application process, potential candidates for the Community Ideas Grant will be able to browse successful former projects on the Community Ideas Hub and apply for this funding for a single year to replicate these projects in their local community.
Applications for both grants can be accessed at wcgl.london and the application window for both programmes is open until 8 September. Those applying will receive comprehensive support throughout the application process and further support will be provided to successful groups during the delivery of their projects. Successful applicants are set to be announced in November.
TfL is committed to making active travel an accessible option for all road users, with walking and cycling options integrated across the network. The TfL Go app supports this by helping customers plan their journeys using up-to-date walking and cycling maps, including quieter routes and cycleways.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “TfL’s Walking and Cycling Grants London (WGCL) programme is helping to transform the lives of thousands of Londoners by empowering communities and local organisations to encourage more walking, cycling and active travel in their area. The Mayor and I encourage community and not-for-profit groups in our city to apply for available grants which can help bring their ideas to life as we build a better, greener and more accessible London for all. ”
