‘Traditionally underrepresented groups’ benefit from active travel funding

LRSC TfL cycle funding

Community groups from across the Capital have been awarded funding to encourage people from all backgrounds to walk and cycle.

The funding, announced by Transport for London (TfL) on 26 November, will see 60 community and not-for-profit groups benefit from a share of more than £400,000.

It comes from the ‘Walking and Cycling Grants London’ scheme – which aims to ‘address the barriers that prevent people from getting active’ and help to make London a ‘more sustainable, inclusive and healthy city’.

The winning projects target a range of traditionally underrepresented groups such as people with physical disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers, and children with Down’s Syndrome.

They include:

  • StriderZ_n_RiderZ – The Hope of Childs Hill (Barnet): This project will run regular group walking and cycling sessions, aimed at people over 50 years who may be prone to loneliness, particularly those from lower socio-economic groups
  • Dare to Ride – Wheels for Wellbeing (Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon, Lewisham): This project will empower disabled people who currently ride exclusively at their cycling sessions to gradually build up their stamina and confidence to participate in a cycling event, such as RideLondon.
  • Walkie Talkie – Time and Talents (Southwark): This project will run two complementary walks, focused on the health and wellbeing of older people in the community, in order to tackle loneliness and improve mental health
  • Cycling for Children with Coordination Difficulties – NHS (Haringey): Children with coordination difficulties, including dyspraxia and Down’s Syndrome, will be taught how to cycle in order to help overcome their high risk of being excluded from physical activity.

TfL says the funding is designed to enable people from all backgrounds to feel confident while walking and cycling in London.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “There are so many benefits to walking and cycling from keeping fit to improving wellbeing and we want everyone in London to experience these benefits regardless of their age, ethnicity or physical or mental health.

“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.”

Work to begin on west London cycle route
In another boost to active travel in the Capital, TfL has announced it will begin construction work at Kew Bridge on 12 December – in preparation for a major project to upgrade pedestrian crossings and create new segregated cycle lanes in west London.

The new roads and junctions will form part of a 7km cycle route between Brentford and Kensington Olympia, subject to final approvals from the London Boroughs of Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham.

TfL will be starting construction work over the Christmas period to take advantage of reduced traffic on the roads.

Nick Fairholme, TfL’s director of project and programme delivery, said: “I’d like to thank people in advance for their patience and would ask people to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys whilst this vital construction work takes place.”


04 December 2019