Funding to ensure walking and cycling “accessible for all”

TfL has awarded more than £400,000 to new projects which aim to increase participation in walking and cycling among traditionally underrepresented groups.

The funding, announced in partnership with the London Marathon Charitable Trust, will benefit a wide variety of projects, run by community and not-for-profit groups.

This includes walking tours for older Londoners, bike maintenance classes for women, and cycling and walking sessions for deaf people.  

In total, approximately £416,000 has been awarded to 87 new projects.

TfL hopes the investment will make a real difference to communities across the Capital, allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of active travel.

The investment is the highest ever of the transformative London Walking and Cycling Grants programme.

The programme aims to address the barriers that prevent people from getting active and help to make London a more sustainable, inclusive, and healthy city. 

TfL says all projects give participants the chance to connect with their local communities, learn new skills, get active and improve their physical and mental health.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “We’ve seen a huge rise in walking and cycling in recent years as more and more Londoners choose sustainable ways to travel around the Capital. 

“The grants awarded by TfL to community groups across London will help support people from all backgrounds to walk and cycle – which is a vital part of building a better, greener London for everyone.”  

New projects awarded funding this year include: 

Black, Asian and minority ethnic Group Walk and Talk – Therapy4 Healing, Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham, and Southwark
Fortnightly walks that support people from ethnic minorities, women, refugees and asylum seekers to improve physical and mental health and encourage social integration.  There will also be walks to help people learn English for speakers and talks for asylum seekers and refugees.     

DeafClub.London – ELREM Foundation, Newham
Deaf people will have the opportunity to gain skills and confidence in cycling and walking in deaf-led walking and cycling sessions. 

UpCycling – Young Lewisham Project
Weekly bike maintenance sessions, group rides in half term and fitness sessions for young people not in education, employment or training and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Aspirational walks – Unseen Tours, central and inner London boroughs
Walking tours by former homeless guides to refugees and asylum seekers, the homeless, and people from disadvantaged backgrounds to help their mental health  

Meanwhile, more than £118,000 has also been awarded for 60 existing projects to continue their work in the community.  

Miranda Leedham, head of customer marketing and behaviour change at TfL, said: “We are committed to ensuring that walking and cycling is accessible for all and want everyone in London to experience the benefits of walking and cycling, from keeping fit to improving their wellbeing. 

“Walking and Cycling Grants London has played a vital role in increasing representation and we’re looking forward to seeing the results of these inspirational projects, which are bound to encourage even more Londoners from diverse backgrounds to travel more actively around the Capital.”

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