New funding for groups to get more people walking, wheeling and cycling in West Yorkshire

09 April 2025

Thousands of pounds worth of funding to get more people walking, wheeling and cycling is being made available to organisations across West Yorkshire. 

Community groups can now bid for up to £5,000 via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s community grants scheme, to encourage people to get out and about in the region.
 
The money will go towards specific active travel projects such as low-cost bike hire schemes, supplying walking and cycling equipment like walking boots and bike locks, free or reduced-cost bike repairs and servicing, or providing information about local cycling and walking routes. 
 
Previous successful applicants include Age UK Bradford and District, who set up a social walking group for over 55s in Bradford and Keighley; Invictus Wellbeing in Calderdale, which launched one-to-one walk and talk sessions for young people; Lightwaves Community Trust in Wakefield, that provided free bike storage for people in the community; and Music:Leeds, who have set up a series of free music history walks around the city. 
 
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin 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, said: “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.” 
 
Community, voluntary, and not-for-profit organisations are all eligible to apply for the grant, with applications now open.
 
For support groups wanting to apply for funding, the Combined Authority is hosting a series of online and in-person workshops from Thursday 17th April to help refine ideas and develop application writing skills.
 
The deadline for applications is Monday 5th May.
 
For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk/get-inspired/our-work-with-communities/community-grants/.