Active Travel grants of up to £15,000 now available to local businesses, community groups and other organisations in Greater Manchester

Businesses, community groups and other organisations in Greater Manchester can now apply for active travel grants of up to £15,000.

A new £535K programme, funded through the Department for Transport and Active Travel England Capability and Ambition Fund, has been launched to support Greater Manchester's active travel mission.

The funding’s aim is to get more people walking, cycling and wheeling, reduce lorry and van travel in urban areas and help support Greater Manchester’s ambitions to improve air quality.

Small independent businesses, voluntary organisations and community groups could be eligible for grants, while GP practices, NHS trusts, schools, colleges and universities can also apply.

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner, said: “The purpose of the community access grants is to enable local groups, businesses and organisations to take their first steps in a journey to fewer vehicle journeys as part of their work and make cycling, walking and wheeling more accessible to people in their community.

“The grants provide an opportunity to improve the active travel provision of the business, group or organisation and maximise the benefits of sustainable transport options. With many businesses and local groups looking for ways to make savings in their running costs, having access to an e-cargo bike could help to minimise transport overheads.

“Previous successful applicants have included a co-operative bike workshop and a community interest company teaching circus skills. Both used their grants to purchase eCargo bikes to transport their work equipment, enabling them to minimise or even eliminate their trips in motor vehicles.

“If you think your business, organisation or group meets the criteria, then I’d encourage you to apply.”

Grants are available to eligible organisations to help fund:

• Up to £10,000 towards the purchase of accessible/adaptive cycles to increase availability and access to cycling among people in the community with disabilities and long-term health conditions
• Up to £10,000 towards the purchase of cargo bikes and trailers to help businesses and households to reduce car and van journeys for logistics and domestic tasks
• Up to £2,500 towards the delivery of sustainable local initiatives or projects which will support, encourage and increase cycling, walking and wheeling opportunities, appeal and participation within the community

Organisations can bid for one or more of the measures offered. This can either be up to the maximum grant for an individual measure, or up to a combined total of £15,000.

To apply, please review the accompanying guidance and send a completed application form to active.travel@tfgm.com

For information or advice either on the application process or eligibility, please email active.travel@tfgm.com with a subject line of 'Community Access Grants'.

Applications close on Friday 21 July 2023.