Active Travel grants of up to £15,000 available for businesses in Greater Manchester

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched active travel grants for local businesses and other organisations to support the city-region’s active travel mission and goal to be net zero by 2038.

The funding’s aim is to get more people walking, cycling and wheeling, reduce lorry and van travel in urban areas, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality.

For businesses, grants of up to £10,000 are available to purchase cargo bikes and trailers to make local deliveries or for carrying lighter loads where a car or small van might otherwise be used.

Community groups and other organisations can also use the funding to support the purchase of accessible/adaptive cycles that can be used by those with disabilities and long-term health conditions with grants of up to £10,000. An active travel grant of up to £2,500 can also be put towards local initiatives or projects to boost walking and cycling in the community.

The £535,000 programme is being supported by the for Transport and Active Travel England Capability and Ambition Fund.

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.”

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’.