Community organisations across Greater Manchester can now apply for an exciting initiative to help inspire more people to walk, cycle or wheel in their area.
‘Cycle and Stride for Active Lives’ is a Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) community resource that aims to enable people across the city-region to engage in active travel.
Made possible by a £1 million grant from the London Marathon Charitable Trust, the three-year programme seeks to reach 10,000 people across communities that are least likely to be active or to walk, wheel or cycle their journeys.
Successful applicants can receive support from an experienced active travel officer to help plan and deliver their project, plus a grant of up to £10,000.
Projects that have previously benefitted from the Cycle and Stride programme include a women’s social and activity group, a nature education and outdoor event provider, and community cycling sessions.
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner, said: “Cycle and Stride for Active Lives has already supported more than 30 community groups in Greater Manchester in the last year, and I’m pleased to say that applications for 2023 are now open.
“The Cycle and Stride programme can provide funding for your project, while TfGM’s active travel team can help with the planning and delivery of your activity. Ultimately, it’s about maximising your project’s potential and helping you to inspire more people to walk, wheel or cycle, and spend time outside.
“If you run a community group or project that shares this goal, I’d encourage you to apply.”
The Sunnywood Project, a non-profit outdoor education and events provider, was one of the successful Cycle and Stride applicants last year.
Marc Young, Education and Youth Service Director at The Sunnywood Project, added: “With a huge amount of thanks to Cycle and Stride, we have been able to provide weekly, affordable ‘Toddler Trekking’ adventures. These sessions encourage parents and carers to embrace the outdoors with their toddler, promote the benefits of getting outdoors as a family and facilitate an opportunity to socialise whilst being active.
“The support from Cycle and Stride has enabled us to offer these adventures to more parents and toddlers. It is pleasing to see friendships forming between toddlers and their parents and carers which has led to them having the confidence to extend their walks together after the session has ended.”
TfGM is aiming to work with around 60 different community groups, charities, faith groups and schools over the next three years to improve access to cycling, walking and wheeling. Grants, training, online support, activities and events are available to groups that want to get involved and boost active travel participation in their area.
For more information, and to apply, please visit Cycle and Stride
Applications close 3 March 2023.
