Auckland Transport’s fund for supporting community bike activities has just announced its second round – applications are open from now until Thursday 5 April.
Applicants may apply for grants from a minimum of $300 to a maximum of $5,000. (Groups with no formal legal structure can apply for a grant up to $1,000.)
You’ll find out if you’re successful by Wednesday 15 April, and projects must be delivered by 30 June 2018.
What kinds of projects are eligible?
Here’s the full policy: it’s aimed at community groups, large and small (no political parties, commercial entities; unfortunately, schools and members of the Council family aren’t eligible either).
The successful projects from the first round make for a really inspiring list, and give you an idea of the sorts of activities you can seek support for:
- The Cycling Without Age bike carnival at the Selwyn Village retirement complex, bringing bike joy to young and old (see photo in the header and below)
- Bike fix days on the North Shore, thanks to the ever-resourceful Bike Kaipatiki
- A bike fun day for kids at the Waiuku Toy Library
- Creating a ‘bike library’ at Ruapotaka Marae, so people can try bikes
- A bike-to-train day in Meadowbank, showcasing riding to the station
- Guided family rides and bike checks around Mt Roskill with the Sea Scouts
- An International Women’s Day event to encourage refugee women on bikes
- Roskill Bike Kitchen’s programme to repair and rehome bikes with local young people and former refugees
- ‘Ride and Refresh at the Y‘ – a new pilot programme offering free showers, lockers and bike parking at the Greys Ave YMCA for people commuting by bike into the city (launching 27 March)
- A Biking Bee Adventure, taking people on a guided ride around bee-friendly spaces and exploring local cycleways on Saturday 14 April
- A Pedal and Pizza Ride on Sunday 25 March, taking people on a guided ride to discover local cycleways, with EcoMatters Environment Trust and Bike Te Atatu
Great stuff! Remember, the fund is designed to support:
- Community events, activities or projects.
- Training programmes that encourage the safe use of the Auckland cycle network.
- The development of relevant targeted community-specific information and resources.
In other words, it’s not just a what but a how – so if you have an idea for a project in your ‘hood that will help attract and support people on bikes, get your application in!
Here’s the page – applications open until Thursday 5 April!
