NOT-for-profit organisations across the Keighley district are being invited to bid for grants of up to £5,000 to support people in their communities to cycle to work.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority community grants scheme – part of its CityConnect programme, aimed at encouraging people to travel by bike or on foot – is among a series of emergency measures designed to help the public move around safely during the current pandemic.

It is hoped that by enabling more people to make everyday journeys by bike, capacity on public transport will be increased and traffic congestion reduced.

Grants could support schemes including bike loans and donations, servicing and repairs to make people’s bikes roadworthy, maintenance and cycle skills training, subsidised discounts on equipment and advice clinics on a range of topics such as route planning.

Councillor Kim Groves, chairman of the combined authority’s transport committee, said: "Through our CityConnect programme, we have invested significantly to enable more people to travel by bike and on foot – and encouraging others to consider cycling and walking is even more important in helping us address the transport challenge created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Over the last few months, the region’s voluntary sector has played a significant role in supporting people to commute by bike – and organisations we already work with are telling us that demand is growing as more people return to work."

The deadline for grant applications is Wednesday, July 22.

For further information, visit cyclecityconnect.co.uk/get-cycling/support-for-communities.