ORGANISATIONS in Ilkley and Otley are set to receive a share of more than £640,000 of funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to boost cycling and walking in the towns.

Climate Action Ilkley and Otley Town Council were among 13 funding recipients announced by Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, at a community celebration event on Thursday, November 24.

Climate Action Ilkley will receive £50,000 and Otley Town Council will receive £39,000 to set up community walking and cycling hubs.

These hubs will be “one-stop-shops” for people to access everything they need to walk and cycle, including advice and support on routes, equipment, training and group activities.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Making it easier to walk and cycle is part of the solution to so many challenges we face - from saving people money, tackling congestion and the climate challenge, to improving our health and wellbeing.

“I’m delighted to support these important organisations to take their services to the next level so that more people can reap the benefits of walking and cycling.”

Martin Higgitt, Climate Action Ilkley’s Active Travel Hub project manager said “We’re delighted to receive West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s support for our project. We’ll be recruiting an Active Travel Co-ordinator in January to help set up the project and we look forward to launching it in spring 2023 so we can provide a wide range of people with practical support or inspiration to get them walking and cycling more often. This will include guided walks and rides run by a range of community partners, e-bike loans, walking and cycling equipment loan, cycle training, and much more.”

In Otley the bid was steered by the Town Council, and jointly submitted with Otley 2030. The hub will work with Cycling UK and Climate Action Ilkley on developing a ‘Cycling for Health’ programme for participants in the Wharfe valley, using the stock of adult bikes to be held in the Otley community active travel hub. The Otley hub will have bikes suitable for those who cannot use a conventional bike, including e-bikes, bike trailers and adaptive bikes; users will be offered bike training and maintenance courses. The detailed planning will involve consultation with potential users to ensure that the courses and the new bike hire scheme are as well used as possible. The Council’s Cycling Day next summer will be supported by these hub activities and an Active Mobility Day is being investigated.

Included within the aims of the bid is the promotion of walking. The hub will stock waterproofs and maps and a series of walking and cycling routes will be identified with signage and guides to help and enhance the experience of those using them. Local walking groups and events will be promoted.

Councillor Richard Hughes, Chair of Otley Town Council said: “I was privileged to have been closely involved in the writing of the bid and am excited by what we can do with the award. I was inspired at the launch event by the energy and enthusiasm of other groups; we will be working with some and stealing great ideas from others! This is going to benefit so many people in Otley.”

Councillor Mick Bradley, who was involved in putting the bid together added: “This is great news for Otley. We know it is a cycling town, but also that there are many people who haven’t roadworthy bikes or the confidence to get out on their bikes given our congested streets. This is an opportunity to help more people discover the benefits of two wheels. At the same time, we haven’t forgotten those who would like to get out and walk more with a range of help on offer for them.”

Andrew Howarth of Otley 2030 added: “At Otley 2030 we are working to make Otley a more sustainable town. Introducing more people to walking and cycling is really important and can lead to fewer car journeys, benefitting the environment and people’s health. We are currently completing a pilot project using a small active travel grant for some of these activities and it will be good to expand these opportunities.”

Since 2017, the Combined Authority has awarded more than £500,000 to organisations across West Yorkshire to deliver grassroots initiatives aimed at helping people overcome barriers to walking and cycling.

Organisations will be invited to bid for further community grant funding in early 2023.