Community groups around Auckland can now apply for a fund which encourages more people to ride bikes, more often.
Auckland Transport’s (AT) Community Bike Fund is now in its third year.
Cliff Wilton, AT’s Sustainable Mobility Manager, says the fund is part of AT’s ongoing commitment to support cycling as a transport choice.
“Lockdown saw many Aucklanders dusting the cobwebs off their bikes to reacquaint themselves with their neighbourhood and we want to see that continue.”
“There are lots of groups within our communities with fantastic ideas to help encourage this.
"The fund can help kickstart events or initiatives to support more people to ride bikes, especially those who might be new to it or haven’t done it for a while.”
Past recipients have ranged from learn-to-ride sessions for women from refugee or migrant backgrounds, to family fun days across Auckland.
Sarah Thorne, Manager of Takapuna North Community Trust, says “the fund allowed us to hold a fantastic Christmas themed event at Sunnynook Park. Kids and adults alike loved dressing up in Christmas themed outfits and decorating their bikes to travel around the newly opened path. We hope we can make this an annual event.”
Anja Vroegop, Community Activation Manager for the cycling advocacy organisation Bike Auckland, says AT's Community Bike Fund has empowered the 26 local bike groups across the city (known as Bike Burbs) to run their own events and campaigns.
“Our Bike Burbs have run hundreds of events in neighbourhoods across Auckland in the last year, from group rides to fix-it days and more. Access to funding via the Community Bike Fund helps these community-led groups involve even more people in new and exciting ways."
Grants of between $300 and $5000 are available, with applications open from 13 July 2020 until 23 August 2020.
For more information on how to apply visit the Auckland Transport website.
