GROUPS in North Yorkshire can get involved in creating their own cycle legacies, as one of the world’s top bike events heads to the county.

North Yorkshire County Council is encouraging local organisations to apply for grants for initiatives which will widen participation in cycling, as a result of Yorkshire hosting the UCI Road World Championships in September.

The Places to Ride Fund is designed to provide communities with a lasting legacy from the event, which begins in Yorkshire on September 22, preceded for the first time by the Yorkshire 2019 Para-Cycling International on Saturday, September 21.

The nine-day event will involve teams from approximately 90 countries.

The Places to Ride Fund has earmarked more than £2m of its £15m funding for small grants to cover costs such as cycling kit and equipment, cycle storage solutions, or improvements to existing facilities.

The funding aims to support projects such as creating learn-to-ride areas to encourage new riders, buying adapted bikes or lighting facilities so opening hours increase.

The Northern Echo:

The programme is being delivered over the next three years through a partnership between British Cycling, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways, said: “We want to encourage people from all backgrounds to get involved with cycling and to cement the legacy of the road world championships here in North Yorkshire.

“Cycling in all its forms is a fantastic activity for people of all ages and abilities; it can be a great way for families to spend time together, it is an environmentally and financially sustainable mode of transport and improves fitness and mental health and wellbeing.

“There will be many projects in the county which could benefit from this extra funding and help more people see the benefits to their health and wellbeing which cycling can bring.”

Applicants can request £1,000 to £50,000 via britishcycling.org.uk/placestoride.