A new £4 million Active Travel Fund has been launched by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, giving local groups the opportunity to bid for funding to improve walking, cycling, and wheeling infrastructure across the region.
The fund, approved at a Combined Authority meeting today, is part of the Mayor’s wider vision to create a safer, healthier, and more connected region. It will support a range of initiatives, from secure cycle parking and facility upgrades to community bike schemes, training programmes, and behaviour change projects like School Streets.
Alongside the fund, the Authority also approved the appointment of a new Active Travel Commissioner, who will oversee the delivery of the Mayor’s active travel ambitions. Their role will include guiding the development of a comprehensive network of lit, well-maintained routes that make walking, cycling, and wheeling safer and more accessible for all.
The announcement comes ahead of the Active City York conference, where the Mayor will join National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman to discuss regional and national strategies for boosting active travel.
Mayor David Skaith said:
“Everyone should be able to enjoy walking, wheeling and cycling, but we need to work harder to make it the natural choice for more journeys.
“We recently boosted existing projects with £20 million. Now we are recruiting a dedicated Active Travel Commissioner and we’re doubling the funding available for new initiatives.
“This isn’t just about moving people around. It means affordable, sustainable choices for everyone, safer journeys to school, and reducing our environmental impact.
“We’re open to ideas that work for all our communities, and this significant £4 million fund can support everything from secure cycle parking to school streets programmes and more.
“Given the rural nature of much of our region, we really want to enable schemes that promote active travel in rural villages and market towns, as well as in urban areas.”
The fund is open to town and parish councils, community groups, charities, businesses, and both North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council. Applications will open later this year.
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman also commented:
“Enabling more people to walk wheel or cycle to where they need to be – whether that’s in cities, towns or villages – is one of the best interventions we can make to improve the nation’s health, environment and economy, all in one.
“This is why it’s brilliant that this funding is available to organisations across York and North Yorkshire. The combined authority know what works best in their neighbourhoods, and can help develop schemes that give communities travel choices that are safe, accessible and attractive to all, which will mean happier, healthier and greener journeys across the region.”
This initiative follows the recent approval of £20 million in transport schemes across the region and is part of the £27 million Mayoral Challenge Fund, which also supports high street regeneration, green skills, and emissions reduction.
Image credit: iStock
