£640,000 secured for walking and cycling organisations in West Yorkshire

Cycling and walking organisations across Yorkshire will benefit from a £640,000 boost to funding, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has announced.

Each group will receive up to £50,000 to become walking and cycling hubs in their area, providing residents with advice, equipment, training and group activities.

The announcement lines up with plans to increase opportunities for walking and cycling across West Yorkshire, as the combined authority has aims to reach net-zero by 2038.  

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: ‘Making it easier to walk and cycle is part of the solution to so many challenges we face – from saving people money, tackling congestion and the climate challenge, to improving our health and wellbeing.

‘I’m delighted to support these important organisations to take their services to the next level so that more people can reap the benefits of walking and cycling.’

A variety of organisations will receive the fund, including Leeds-based Experience Community, a charity which helps disabled people to access cycling.

Leaders of the non-profit say the grant will be used to start a new mobile hub and to further develop their Leeds base.

Craig Grimes, Managing Director of Experience Community CIC, said: ‘Accessing public transport and active travel options for disabled people can be difficult, which means that many people opt to use their own private vehicles instead.

‘This funding will enable us to provide short-term home loans of equipment so that people can decide which equipment is most useful for them in their day to day lives.

‘Combining these services with ways of providing 0% interest financing and a long-term hire scheme will ensure that more of this equipment is affordable for more people, making West Yorkshire a more inclusive place to live and work for all.’

Other groups chosen for funding include Bradford Capital of Cycling, which recycles bikes and provides riding and maintenance lessons.

The Leeds Urban Bike Park, which offers trails, bike hire, coaching, safety lessons and a bike workshop, will also receive a grant of £50,000. 14 groups in total were chosen.

Photo by Lison Zhao