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The £2 million fund was launched in March. It will provide funding to organisations from the public and private sectors, health and education sectors and cycling groups to provide cycling related facilities that will lead to an increase in cycling.
Spellar said:
"These projects cover a wide range of initiatives, all designed to lead to an increase in cycling. I believe the Cycling Projects Fund will kick-start growth in cycling at very local levels, and help us reach the targets for increased cycling that are in the National Cycling Strategy and our own Ten-Year Plan.
"We have been extremely pleased with the high level of interest in the fund and with the quality of bids we have already received. This is only our first award of funding. I wish these 10 initial projects every success and look forward to hearing about their progress."
Over £800,000 remains available this year to support additional projects, from bids already received or from new ones. The bidding window will remain open until the end of July, and further applications will be welcome, said Spellar.
The DfT expect to spend approximately £1m each year in 2002/03 and 2003/04 on successful bids. A further bid window will be opened early next year.
Grants are available within a lower limit of £250 and an upper limit of £50 000. Projects must be able to guarantee matched funding, of at least 20 percent for voluntary groups and 50 percent for others.
The fund is open to any project that could be expected to achieve an increase in cycling.
Detailed terms and conditions for making an application to the fund can be obtained at http://www.nationalcyclingstrategy.org.uk/
PIC ABOVE:
50 MPs and Peers had their own ‘Bike2Work’ event yesterday when they cycled from the Department for Transport offices in London’s Victoria to the Palace of Westminster. Leading the Parliamentary Bike Ride were (from right to left): Jane Griffiths MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group; Steven Norris, chair of the National Cycling Strategy Board; with Dr Jeff Tobias from Bike Week national charity partner Cancer Research UK; and NCS Board member Professor Sian Griffiths. Pic by Cancer Rsearch UK.
List of Cycling Project Fund Grants
St George’s Healthcare Trust, London
Additional cycle parking and cycle lockers for staff at the hospital site. Awarded a grant of £10,000.
Sandford Parish Paths and Environment Group
Funding to complete an off road cycle path from Sandford village to the nearby village of Crediton. Awarded a grant of £13,000
Runneymede BC
A comprehensive cycle parking scheme at 8 schools and 1 college in the borough. The project will provide cycle parking and shelters for around 400 bicycles. Awarded a grant of £50,000.
Lazarus Environmental
A cycle hire/cycle centre facility in Sunderland making repaired bikes available to those who do not have them and generally raising cycle awareness in the area. Awarded a grant of £33,513.
University of Bristol
Additional cycle parking as part of an ongoing cycle parking and facilities commitment by the University to reducing car use. Awarded a grant of £45,000.
Kesgrave High School
Additional cycle parking and CCTV at a school where there are already 700 cyclists. The school aims to further increase cycling by 15-20%. Awarded a grant of £6,500.
Cycle West
A cycle training package aimed at older children and young adults to meet demand from local schools and colleges. Awarded a grant of £12,250.
Hopley’s Coaches
A project to put bike racks and CCTV surveillance on two buses operating between Porthtowan and Truro in Cornwall. Awarded a grant of £2,250.
Watergate School
A project at a school for children with severe learning disabilities. The school encourages cycling to improve mobility and to build confidence. Awarded a grant of £750.
Wychall Lane Surgery
A scheme to provide cycle lockers for staff and patients to meet local demand. Awarded a grant of £500.
