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Wheels and Walks

Wheels and Walks

Active travel in Greater Manchester is for everyone, and we’re committed to helping people travel more actively around this great city region.

As well as delivering our vision of a world-class walking, wheeling and cycling network – the Bee Network - we want to support groups that inspire others to walk, wheel or cycle more.

If you run a local community group that encourages others to get active, funding is available through Transport for Greater Manchester’s Wheels and Walks programme.

Funding is available via two routes:

Wheels and Walks

Providing groups and organisations with year-long support to help develop their offering. Training, networking and knowledge sharing opportunities are available to successful applicants, along with £5,000 of grant funding.

Small Grants Scheme

The Small Grants Scheme focuses on one-off purchases or short activities to groups that help people walk, wheel or cycle more often. Successful applications will be granted funding of up to £5,000.

What is Wheels and Walks?

The Wheels and Walks programme is aimed at walking, wheeling and cycling groups that want to grow and develop their services and learn from other like-minded community groups. Each successful group will receive a year-long package of support from TfGM to deliver their activity, as well as funding.

Successful applicants will receive:

  • Grant funding of up to £5,000.

  • Training and development opportunities.

  • Opportunities to participate in networking and knowledge sharing.

  • General support and advice.

  • Signposting to other opportunities.

Apply now:

  • Phase 1: 27 January 2025 date to 17 March 2025 (closed).

  • Phase 2: 1 September to 12 noon on 27 October 2025 (closed).

  • Phase 3: Open from 2 March to 7 April 2026.

Applications are now open

Find out how to apply

To apply, please complete the application form and email it to: wheelsandwalks@tfgm.com.

Postal applications are also accepted. More information is available on the application form. Applications received after the closing date for each phase will not be considered as part of that phase.

Eligibility criteria and information to assist when completing the application form is available in the application guidance.

If you have questions, the answer may be in our frequently asked questions. Or contact the Walks and Wheels team by emailing wheelsandwalks@tfgm.com.

Accessible versions

Download an accessible version of the application form and an accessible version of the application guidance.

Got questions? Join an information session

We’re hosting online information sessions where you can find out more about the funding and how to apply.

Online sessions:

TfGM’s Wheels and Walks scheme helps Wigan Youth Zone shine

Wigan Youth Zone originally started a bike maintenance group for young people with additional needs, who wanted to learn skills such as fixing bikes and scooters and how to ride bikes safely.

“At the beginning, opportunities were limited because we did not have enough tools for young people to take a hands-on approach. However, the TfGM funding has allowed us to expand the group to include more young people of all abilities, purchase additional tools, and provide puncture repair kits, tyres, and protective gear such as helmets.

“Through the group, young people have developed practical bike maintenance skills, including basic repairs and safety checks. Taking part in hands-on activities has helped build their confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills. Wigan Youth Zone extends its heartfelt gratitude to Transport for Greater Manchester for the £5k funding.”

Steve Nelson, Skate Park youth worker.

Wigan Youth Zone worker fixing a bike

Successful applicants from phase one

We’ve helped more than 20 groups receive the funding they need to offer excellent services to the local community.

Joining local groups, like those listed below, is a great way of building confidence, meeting new people and getting active.

Find one near you.

Bolton

  • KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club: Helping women and girls aged 6-18 years to cycle through the provision of loan bikes and equipment, coaching lessons, and led rides as part of their ‘Pedal Power’ activity.

  • Inspire: Serving Your Community: Encouraging black, minority and ethic 14-25-year-olds to get into hiking through their ‘Step Up’ activity.

  • Migrant Haven: The programme will empower migrants and local residents in Bolton to walk and cycle confidently by providing guided group activities, training and bicycles for those most in need to help connect people with their community.


Bury

  • The Sunnywood Project: Guided walks for Toddlers and their Parents and Carers to encourage walking from an early age. The walks will include stories, song and appreciation and exploration of the natural world with an emphasis on using walking as a mode of transport for short journeys with young children.


Manchester

  • Bike it Walk It CIC: Building confidence and competence in women from black, minority and ethnic communities to walk and cycle through their ‘On Your Doorstep and Reluctant Riders’ activity.

  • Burnage Buddies Community Group: Delivering organised group walks combined with public transport to points of interest for women over 50 from black, minority and ethnic communities through their ‘Burnage Buddies are Coming to Town’ activity.

  • LGBT Foundation Ltd: A national charity with LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. LGBT Foundation’s Recovery Team run monthly wellbeing walks, offering an affirming space for vulnerable LGBTQ+ adults to explore Manchester’s green spaces, build connections, and grow their mental wellbeing in nature.

  • Manchester Deaf Centre: Over 12 months this gradually expanding programme supports deaf participants through alternating indoor and outdoor walking sessions to build confidence, skills, and leadership, with the goal of establishing a sustainable deaf-led walking group led by trained Champions.

  • Manchester Jewish School for Special Education: A comprehensive programme developing practical walking, wheeling, and cycling skills for pupils with special educational needs, building confidence and independence for sustainable active travel within their community.

  • Green Fingers Moston Community Group: Supporting adults & elderly with mental and physical health problems in Manchester to move and socialise more through regular cycling sessions and lead rides at the bike library at no 93 Wellbeing Centre.

  • One Manchester Ltd: To increase access to cycling opportunities for Under 16’s living in East Manchester and embed cycling confidence and lifelong behaviours for improved wellbeing and active travel.

  • Station South CIC : Connecting children and women from black, minority and ethnic backgrounds with cycling and people-powered short journeys through a series of cycling and walking events and workshops as part of their ‘Start Cycling to School with Station South’ activity.

  • Walking Mum’s Club CIC: Supporting mental and physical health of new parents through a walking, support and educational group as part of their ‘Mama Leader’s’ activity.

  • Whalley Range Women’s Walking Group: A gentle intergenerational walking programme connecting older and younger women through accessible walks, a buddy system, and shared storytelling to build confidence, friendship, and lifelong active travel habits.

  • Women's Voices CIC: Our programme will motivate and support black and racially minoritized women, who are currently inactive, to exercise weekly together in local walking groups and travel monthly in groups to explore and walk in other parks, spaces and places of interest across greater Manchester (& produce a booklet of walks), also training “walking champions” to continue to lead these groups regularly post project and to educate more people in the community of the importance of active travel for both their own benefit and to benefit the environment.

  • Yaran Northwest: Routes to Wellbeing will encourage BAME women, families, and older people in Greater Manchester to adopt walking and wheeling for everyday journeys through seasonal guided walks, accessible route workshops, and bilingual community champions.


Oldham

  • Autism Family Support: An inclusive programme helping disabled children and families build confidence through sensory walks, indoor mobility, and adaptive cycling.

  • Mahdlo Youth Zone: Supporting children and young adults aged 8-19 with a disability through bike servicing and maintenance training, road safety education, and led rides as part of their ‘Active Travel by Mahdlo’ activity.

  • My Coldhurst: Our programme will run weekly walking and cycling sessions in Coldhurst, helping residents gain confidence and skills while encouraging them to use active travel for everyday journeys.

  • Portraits of Recovery: Situated in Northern Routes 180-acre green space in Oldham, this walking in nature, creative health and wellbeing initiatve will deliver an audio (poetry/song /spoken-word) walking trail (informed by lived experience) that embeds a culture of walking to support increased sustance use recovery health/wellbeing outcomes in Oldham.

  • SEE CIC: Supporting children with special education needs to ride to school through their ‘SEE School Can Cycle’ activity.

  • Yuvanis Foundation :Helping black, ethnic and minority adults and children to learn to ride a bike and build confidence through their ‘Cycle Together’ activity.


Rochdale

  • Become United: Our programme, Steps Together, is an inclusive walking initiative that engages ethnic minority communities - bringing younger children and older adults together for regular, local walks that build healthy habits, reduce isolation, and strengthen intergenerational connections.

  • HMR Circle: Reducing loneliness and isolation among older people through a series of walks along Rochdale Canal as part of their ‘Walking the Canals – Continuing the Adventure’ activity.

  • Petrus Community: Offering an accessible way to engage in physical activity for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness while reducing community exclusion through their ‘Petrus Striding Forwards’ activity.

  • Rochdale Hornets Foundation: We will combine walking and public transport to visit key landmarks in Greater Manchester such as Rochdale Town Hall, Hollingworth Lake – the group will plan their route, which will combine both methods of transport and can be tailored for different individuals and sub groups depending on their fitness levels.

  • Your Trust: Delivering a series of walks for individuals with learning disabilities, additional needs, deafness, or blindness through their ‘Your Sensory Walking and Wheeling’ activity.


Salford

  • Recreate-U: A programme of guided walks/wheels accompanied by a series of podcast episodes sharing stories and tips to break down barriers to active travel.


Stockport

  • Supportability: Building active travel knowledge and confidence amongst disabled adults in Stockport through a programme of travel training and travel-focused activity sessions.


Trafford

  • EnJOY arts: A walking project for young parents: free, family-friendly programme in Sale that combines guided walks with creative activities to build confidence, foster social connections, and encourage active travel among young parents and their children.

  • Lancashire Cricket Foundation: A free weekly walking group starting from Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground which looks to connect ethnically diverse communities within Old Trafford the confidence to explore their local area and connect with like-minded people.


Wigan

  • Wigan Youth Zone: Providing support to 8–19-year-olds with special education needs, and up to 25 years for those also facing adversity, through bike maintenance sessions and a cycle group as part of their ‘The Gear Medics’ activity.

Small Grants Scheme

Transport for Greater Manchester’s new Small Grants Scheme focuses on one‑off purchases or short activities that help people walk, wheel or cycle more often. Funding is flexible and easy to access, giving groups at any stage of development the chance to support active travel in ways that work for them.

These simple grants are designed to help community groups, schools, NHS organisations and not‑for‑profit organisations remove the everyday barriers that stop people being active. Whether that’s providing the right bike, creating safe storage, or running a one‑off activity, the programme helps you make practical changes that benefit your local community.

What do successful applicants receive?

Successful applicants will receive a grant of up to £5,000 to deliver their project.

This might include buying adaptive or standard cycles, equipment or storage solutions, or running a small activity to inspire people to travel actively.

The programme aims to widen access, strengthen community-led solutions, and support everyday active journeys across Greater Manchester.

How to apply for the Small Grants Scheme

Applications for the Small Grants Scheme are now open and will close at 9am on Monday 20 April.

To apply, please complete the Small Grants Scheme application form and email it to: wheelsandwalks@tfgm.com

Postal applications are also accepted. More details are included on the application form. Applications received after the deadline for each phase will not be considered in that round. You may resubmit your application during a later phase, if applicable.

Guidance on eligibility and help with completing your application is available in the application guidance document, which explains what the grant can fund, assessment criteria, and what to include in your bid.

If you have questions, you may find the answer in our frequently asked questions. If not, please get in touch with the Wheels and Walks team at: wheelsandwalks@tfgm.com

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