Schools in Harrogate district among dozens of projects to benefit from Mayor's £3.4m active travel funding
Schools in the Harrogate district are to share in a £3.4 million boost from the Mayor’s Active Travel Fund for safe cycling and reduced traffic congestion.
Schoolchildren in parts of Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and villages near Ripon are among dozens of projects to benefit from active travel funding delivered by David Skaith, Mayor of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The Mayor’s Active Travel Fund schemes – led by schools, community groups, local councils and national park authorities - aim to tackle the biggest barriers to active travel, including safety concerns, a lack of confidence, and limited access to bikes and facilities.
“I’m proud to support these 39 schemes, investing in new and improved facilities, building confidence, and creating safer routes,” said David Skaith.
"Together, they will help leave a lasting legacy of inclusive active travel, safer school journeys, and healthier, greener, more connected communities for generations to come.”
"We know many people want to walk, wheel and cycle more, but too often face barriers, whether that’s concerns about safety, a lack of skills or confidence, or the cost of buying a bike.”
Oatlands Infant School/Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, Harrogate
Funding Awarded: £51,969
Goals: Funding to expand its Bike Library, Bike Bus and Park & Stride initiatives.
Building on proven success, the project increases safe cycling opportunities for families and reduces local traffic congestion.
Inspire Youth Yorkshire (IYY), Knaresborough
Funding Awarded: £29,954
Goals: Funding to deliver a youth‑led active travel programme in Knaresborough, focusing on KS2-4 pupils, particularly girls.
Activities include cycling confidence sessions, bike safety and maintenance workshops, youth ambassadors and a community ride celebrating local cycling heritage.
Pateley Bridge Town Council
Funding Awarded: £65,847
Goals: This project will create a free, safe and accessible pump track in Pateley Bridge, supporting children, young people and families to develop cycling skills, confidence and independence.
In a rural area with limited transport options, this provides an important stepping stone towards more everyday cycling for short local journeys.
Sharow C of E Primary School, Ripon
Funding Awarded: £5,850
Goals: Funding to enhance early cycling skills through balance bikes, secure storage and maintenance workshops.
The project embeds active travel habits early and builds staff capability for long‑term sustainability.
Roecliffe C of E Primary School
Funding Awarded: £13,800
Goals: Funding to embed a whole‑school cycling culture through skills training, Bike Bus activity, secure storage and community repair eventsThe project targets confidence, access and independence, particularly for children without bikes at home.
Staff training and durable equipment ensure long‑term sustainability and reduced school‑run car use.
Great Ouseburn Primary School
Funding Awarded: £6,162.29
Goals: Funding to build early cycling confidence through balance bikes, secure storage, staff training and community repair sessions.
Targeting low existing cycling rates, the project enables safe skill development, supports family behaviour change and reduces short car journeys to school.
Staff training ensures long‑term sustainability.
About the Mayor’s Active Travel Fund
The £4 million fund was approved by the Combined Authority in June 2025, doubling the amount of investment available for walking, wheeling, and cycling in the region.
A total of £2.4 million was made available for applications from public bodies, with a £1 million community fund – open to schools, businesses, charities and community organisations - managed by North Yorkshire Sport on behalf of the authority.