The Big Bike Revival Grants Programme is provided by Active Travel England and the UK Government and administered by Cycling UK, a national organisation dedicated to supporting cyclists and supporting bike use.

This fund aims to achieve the following objectives:

  • Encourage adults who don’t cycle to cycle.
  • Encourage adults to cycle more often.
  • Increase short cycling trips.
  • Improve the perception of cycle safety.
  • Improve adults confidence to cycle.

The programme supports people returning to cycling, starting as complete beginners, and other people who do not cycle regularly. This includes reaching new people, including groups who are underrepresented in cycling or face challenges and perceived barriers to cycling, such as:

  • Women.
  • People on low incomes.
  • People who identify as belonging to an ethnic minority group.
  • People not in work.
  • People who do not meet physical activity guidelines.
  • People with perceived barriers to cycling.

Grants of up to £3,500 are available.

For Grants of £2,000, partners should be able to deliver at least six events.

For Grants of £3,500, partners should be able to deliver at least ten events.

Who Can Apply

Voluntary and not-for-profit organisations that are rooted in local communities and working to tackle a range of needs and challenges can apply, such as:

  • Cycling UK-affiliated Community Cycle Clubs.
  • Cycling UK affiliated groups.
  • Bicycle recycling centres.
  • Not for Profit organisations (ie registered charities, social enterprises, community interest companies, voluntary led groups).
  • Training organisations.
  • Mobile mechanics.
  • Local authorities.
  • Independent bike shops with a community interest (not franchises or chains).

Applicants must provide an organisational or business bank account.

Organisations that are providing cycling activities regularly as their main activities or as a primary income must have a public liability insurance policy and must be able to provide Cycling UK with a valid copy of the policy when requested.

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

  • Events for children only.
  • Sustaining regular activities that occur as part of a consistent allotted time.
  • Social activities and entertainment.
  • Events that focus solely on leisure cycling.
  • Large or mass participation events.
  • Motorised travel.

Eligible Expenditure

The fund will support events and activities that use the ‘fix-learn-ride’ model to provide sessions on fixing unused or broken bikes, learning sessions such as maintenance workshops or cycle training/upskilling, or offering low milage-led rides on local routes to build up the confidence of participants.

Funding can be used for:

  • Staff costs, including paying for qualified professionals, bike mechanics, skilled ride leaders, or trained cycle instructors.
  • Volunteer transport and refreshments.
  • Equipment purchases, including items like tools, cycles, locks, helmets, high-viz jackets, and pumps. However, this cannot include fixed investments or infrastructure costs.
  • Equipment hire, such as cyles, helmets, or obstacle items like cones.
  • Consumables, including brake pads, inner tubes, cables, lubricant, or small parts.
  • Venue or location hire fees. However this cannot include rent or utility bills.
  • Participant incentives, such as puncture repair kits, local maps etc.
  • Participant refreshments, such as tea, coffee, and soft drinks.
  • Promotional costs, such as posters and social media posts. However, this should not exceed 10% of the total grant request.
  • Transport, including the transportation of goods to and from event locations. However, this should not exceed 5% of the total grant request.
  • Other costs, including costs associated with delivering events, such as PPE.

Funding is for activities delivered between 3 April 2026 and 30 October 2026.

How To Apply

The next deadline for applications is 1 June 2026.

Guidance notes and an online application form are available from the Cycling UK website.

Documents & links

Cycling UK – Big Bike Revival Grants Programme

Contacts

For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact the following:

  1. Enquiries
    Cycling UK
    Parklands
    Railton Road
    Guildford
    Surrey
    GU2 9JX
    Email: bi************@*******uk.org