Active Travel funding opportunities
We allocate funding to partner organisations who are responsible for delivering walking and cycling infrastructure and behaviour change projects across Scotland.
Several of our partners offer grant funding. Read more about the options and visit the Partner websites for more information and details of how to apply.
Places for Everyone (Sustrans)
Sustrans Scotland provides advice, support and funding for the creation of infrastructure that makes it easier for people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys.
Who can apply?
Local authorities, National Parks, Regional Transport Partnerships, further and higher education institutions, housing associations, constituted community groups, development trusts, NHS, public bodies, schools and educational institutions. Private sector organisations may be able to apply in conjunction with their local authority.
Cycling Friendly Programme (Cycling Scotland)
Funding is available to help promote and support cycling locally and make our workplaces, communities, social housing providers, schools and campuses more cycling friendly. The Cycling Friendly Development Fund provides grants for infrastructure such as cycle parking, upgrading access routes for people cycling, walking and wheeling, facilities such as changing areas, showers, lockers and drying areas. There is also funding available for the purchase of bike pools, hire fleets and creating maintenance areas.
Who can apply?
Employers, communities, social housing providers, schools, colleges and universities.
E-bike grant and loans (Energy Saving Trust)
The E-Bike Grant Fund
This funding supports large-scale adoption of e-bikes by local authorities, public sector agencies, colleges and universities.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities and public sector organisations.
E-Bike Loan fund
This funding is for interest-free loans to help buy an e-bike.
Who can apply?
Individuals.
E-Bike Business Loan fund
This funding is to support organisations that want to reduce their carbon impact and use E-Bikes for travel.
Who can can apply?
Businesses.
Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (Paths for All)
This funding is for projects that work to make walking and cycling a transport mode of choice for short local journeys.
Who can apply?
Any formally constituted body.
Other funding
Community Paths Grants (Paths for All)
To create, improve, maintain and promote community paths.
Who can apply?
Constituted community groups.
Campus Cycling Officer (Cycling Scotland)
To recruit a Cycling Officer to promote active travel.
Who can apply?
Colleges and Universities.
National Cycle Network improvements and signage (Sustrans)
To deliver physical improvements to the National Cycle Network.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities, constituted community groups, public or third sector organisations.
Art Roots (Sustrans)
Artistic and aesthetic improvements to the National Cycle Network.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities, constituted community groups, public or third sector organisations.
National Monitoring Framework (Cycling Scotland)
Monitoring counters and surveys.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships.
Pocket Places (Sustrans)
Low cost, temporary installations to manage traffic speeds and improve small community spaces.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities, constituted community groups, public or third sector organisations.
Regional Transport Partnerships support (Sustrans)
To support delivery of active travel infrastructure.
Who can apply?
Regional Transport Partnerships.
School Cycle and Scooter Parking Grant (Sustrans)
Cycle and scooter parking facilities in schools - cycle stands, shelters, cycle lockers and secure storage.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities, constituted community groups, public or third sector organisations.
Strategic Partnerships (Sustrans)
Sustrans Officers to support active travel infrastructure development.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities, constituted community groups, public or third sector organisations.
Street Design (Sustrans)
Outline designs that the local authority can progress to detailed design and construction with support from the Places for Everyone fund.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities, constituted community groups, public or third sector organisations.
Workplace engagement (Sustrans)
Sustrans Workplace programme works in partnership with a range of public and private sector employers to deliver innovative projects that create a culture where staff are able, supported and motivated to travel actively and sustainably to/from, and within work. Key elements of our workplace engagement projects include; providing information, improving facilities, increasing access to active travel, influencing policy and engaging with people.
Who can apply?
NHS Boards and Local Authorities can be considered for embedded workplace engagement officers.
Way to Work and the Scottish Workplace Journey Challenge available to all employers and employees in Scotland.
Sustrans Business Engagement provides structured programmes of engagement and consultancy services to workplaces across Scotland.
Love Your Network (Sustrans)
To support community groups in improving their local, traffic-free sections of the National Cycle Network by providing equipment and training.
Who can apply?
Community groups, public or third sector organisations.
- Find out more at the Sustrans website.
Training and resources
Active Travel Champions (Sustrans)
Recruiting, training and supporting volunteers within workplaces to promote walking and cycling to work.
Who can apply?
Workplaces (including institutions of Further and Higher Education) in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The Walking & Cycling Index
The biggest assessment of walking and cycling in urban areas in the UK and Ireland.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities.
Bikeability Scotland (Cycling Scotland)
Bikeability Scotland is a cycle training scheme designed to give children the skills and confidence they need both to cycle safely on the roads, and to encourage them to carry on cycling into adulthood.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities.
I Bike (Sustrans)
I Bike is an innovative schools project that empowers children, parents and teachers to travel actively, safely and confidently to school.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities, constituted community groups, public or third sector organisations.
Practical Cycle Awareness Training (Cycling Scotland)
To establish local HGV and bus driver cycle awareness training courses.
Who can apply?
Local Authorities and public sector agencies.
WOW walk to school programme (Living Streets Scotland)
WOW encourages primary pupils to walk to school through use of interactive WOW Travel Tracker with a reward for those who walk (skate, scoot, cycle or Park & Stride!) at least once per week.
Who can apply?
Schools recommended by a local authority.