More than £1 million invested into grassroots UK cycling communities

British Cycling’s collaboration with Crowdfunder to support clubs and community organisations will close on Sunday 19 February, after facilitating more than a million pounds of investment into cycling facilities, equipment and training.

Launched in June 2020, the collaboration enabled clubs and community organisations with existing Crowdfunding campaigns to receive match funding from British Cycling up to the value of £15,000.

The opportunity was delivered as part of the highly-successful £15 million Places to Ride fund, set up to secure a legacy from the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire.

Since its launch, British Cycling has invested more than £216,000 into a broad range of cycling projects, with a further £866,000 raised from supporters within local communities.

Due to the high level of interest, the scheme will close to new applications at midnight on Sunday 19 February 2023.

Thanks to the partnership between British Cycling, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), projects supported by the funding include:

• Save Living Under One Sun: A small neighbourhood based charity in Tottenham, Haringey, offered cycle training and bike repairs during Covid-19.

• Wirksworth Community Skatepark: A voluntary group of local parents and supporters in Derbyshire, and their development of a new skate park with a focus on BMX freestyle.

• Frome Community Bike Project in Somerset: To create a new bike recycling centre and community cycle hub.

• Max Trax: An exciting community-led cycle track in Openshaw, Manchester, and their construction of a new pump track.

“Through this innovative partnership Crowdfunder we’ve been able to support a huge number of good causes, both within our club network and through working with a wide range of organisations that haven’t previously benefitted from British Cycling’s support,” said Dani Every, Acting CEO at British Cycling.

“Enabling more young people and riders from diverse backgrounds to access cycling is absolutely central to our long-term strategy, and by working in partnership in the heart of communities we’re able to further extend our reach and broaden the range of activities on offer.

“The Places to Ride fund has been a shining example of how showpiece major events can unlock a tangible and lasting legacy nationwide, and we once more thank our partners at Sport England and DCMS for their support to make it possible.”

“The Places to Ride programme has supported numerous projects throughout England to grow participation in cycling. Focusing particularly on schemes that seek to reduce inequalities, the Programme, through Crowdfunder, has successfully engaged with new audiences, helping people to lead healthier lives,” said Kevin Mills, Chair of the Places to Ride Facilities Programme Board and Sport England’s Director of Capital Investment.

For those organisations, clubs and groups still seeking funding after the closure of this scheme, Sport England’s ‘Active Together’ Crowdfunder programme continues to accept applications.

For more information on the Places to Ride fund, click here, and enquiries can be emailed directly to the British Cycling team at [email protected].