Cycle England launches a cycle grants scheme to enhance cycling facilities in Yorkshire

Cycle England, a Discover England Fund project led by Welcome to Yorkshire, has launched a cycle grants scheme to further enhance cycling facilities across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

As part of the overall project, Cycle England has a grant fund of £100,000 which will be used to help support businesses interested in improving their facilities for cyclists, including cycle parking, storage, changing facilities, route signage and e-bike hire.

 Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Sir Gary Verity DL said: “Since hosting the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014 and the success of the annual Tour de Yorkshire, the county has established itself as a world-class cycling destination. Next year, Yorkshire will host the UCI Road World Championships as well as the fifth Tour de Yorkshire. Together they’ll attract millions of people to our county, with stunning images of Yorkshire being beamed to hundreds of countries around the world.

 “Cycle England’s innovative cycling holidays will provide overseas visitors with even more reasons and opportunities to visit Yorkshire and see the beauty that the county has to offer for themselves. The grants provide local businesses with an opportunity to tap into Yorkshire’s thriving cycling market and improve their own facilities whilst contributing to the enhancement of the local infrastructure.”

The new cycling holidays will focus on some of Yorkshire’s most iconic long-distance cycle routes, including the Way of the Roses, Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way and the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route.

Cycle England was one of a number of projects to receive funding from the UK Government’s £40 million Discover England Fund. The cycling project aims to create new bookable cycling packages for Dutch and German leisure cyclists. Packages will include accommodation, attractions, transport, bike hire and other elements which contribute to a cycling holiday.

The Discover England Fund is administered by VisitEngland and involves a programme of activity to ensure that England stays competitive in the rapidly growing global tourism industry, by offering world-class English tourism products to the right customers at the right time. The Fund is a central government funded programme of activity, supported by match funding by partners in the public and private sectors.

 Visit England Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “Welcome to Yorkshire’s Cycle England project showcases the outstanding locations packaged together on a variety of routes, giving visitors the opportunity to discover the region and experience the cultural and rural charm of the wider area.”

Grant applications will be considered from individuals, businesses, charities and other organisations wishing to enhance cycling experiences across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

For further information, visit Yorkshire.com/CycleEngland.