TfL and London Marathon Foundation Empower 180+ Community Groups to Boost Walking and Cycling Across London

Record Funding for Active Travel: TfL and London Marathon Foundation Step Up

London’s streets are changing, and it’s not just the skyline. In a decisive move towards a greener, more connected city, Transport for London (TfL) and the London Marathon Foundation have joined forces to support active travel in ways that touch real lives. Their 2025 initiative pours more than £550,000 into the hands of 180 community groups, a bold expansion that signals just how vital walking and cycling have become for Londoners.

Breaking Down Barriers: Who Benefits?

This isn’t just another funding announcement. The Walking and Cycling Grants London (WCGL) programme has seen a surge in interest, with 209 applications—a 50% rise from last year. That spike reflects a city-wide hunger for healthier, more sustainable ways to move. But crucially, the grants target those who often find themselves on the margins of city life: the socially isolated, ethnic minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. By empowering these groups, the programme isn’t just about bikes and trainers—it’s about inclusion and opportunity.

Of the £550,000, nearly £280,000 sustains 119 ongoing projects, ensuring their momentum doesn’t fade. The remaining £270,000 seeds 61 brand new initiatives, each designed to help Londoners overcome barriers—be they physical, social, or economic. Over 10,000 residents across all 32 boroughs will benefit, from Hounslow’s suburban streets to the heart of the City of London.

Spotlight on New Projects: Diversity in Action

Look closer, and the diversity of the new projects is striking. There’s ‘Growing Momentum’ by Queers on Wheels, a city-wide cycling initiative supporting the LGBTQ+ community with ride leader training and bike maintenance. Meanwhile, ‘Let’s Walk: Canalside Wellbeing Walks’ reaches out to residents in Ealing, Hillingdon, and Hounslow, offering safe, free walking opportunities along London’s historic waterways.

Other efforts zero in on those who might otherwise be left behind. ‘Cycle Together’ works with women at HMP Downview Prison in Sutton, aiming to use cycling as a bridge to rehabilitation and community re-integration. In Barnet, ‘The Hope of Childs Hill’, led by Sisters in Saddles and Serenity, fosters cycling among ethnically diverse groups and women, helping them find confidence and community on two wheels.

Voices from the Frontline: Why It Matters

For London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, it’s about more than just infrastructure. “The Mayor and I share a vision for a London where everyone can walk and cycle confidently as part of their daily journeys. That’s why I’m delighted that TfL’s grants programme continues to support community groups in breaking down barriers to active travel for traditionally underrepresented groups.”

Miranda Leedham, TfL’s Head of Customer Marketing & Behaviour Change, echoes this, noting, “Walking and Cycling Grants London has been vital in helping thousands of participants build the confidence to walk and cycle more, while also connecting with their community, learning new skills, and improving their physical and mental health.”

These are more than policy platitudes—they’re reflections of a city trying to heal and grow. For many, the chance to join a group walk or cycling event is about escaping isolation, reclaiming public space, and forging new relationships. As London recovers from years of pandemic-induced solitude and grapples with urban stress, these community projects offer a lifeline.

Health, Economics, and the Road Ahead

The benefits of active travel ripple outward. Healthier Londoners mean less strain on the NHS. More walking and cycling mean less pollution and congestion. But there’s also an economic angle: as people choose active travel, local businesses in boroughs like Barnet or Ealing see new faces and fresh energy. The pan-London scope ensures that no borough is left out—residents everywhere, from the leafy suburbs to the bustling city centre, are invited to take part.

The WCGL programme is designed for longevity. By supporting both new and established groups, it ensures that successful models are sustained while new ideas are given room to flourish. In practice, this means ongoing skills development, regular community events, and a culture where active travel is seen not as a niche hobby, but as a vital, everyday choice for Londoners.

Challenges Remain: The Path to Accessibility

Despite the progress, barriers still exist. For some, safe infrastructure is lacking; for others, cultural or social norms discourage active travel. TfL’s strategy recognizes these complexities, focusing not just on infrastructure, but on behaviour change and confidence-building. By integrating walking and cycling options across London’s transport network, the programme aims to make active travel a realistic option for all road users.

As London looks towards a future shaped by climate challenges and rapid urban growth, these community-led projects are more than just a stopgap. They’re the seeds of a movement that could redefine how the city moves, connects, and cares for its people. The hope is that, by lowering barriers and building confidence, London can create a model of inclusive, healthy urban mobility that other cities will want to follow.

TfL and the London Marathon Foundation’s commitment in 2025 signals a crucial shift towards active travel that values diversity, community, and health. By funding projects that meet real-world needs, they’re not just reshaping how Londoners move—they’re reshaping what it means to belong in the city. The challenge now is to maintain momentum and ensure that every Londoner, regardless of background, can step confidently into a greener, more connected future.