The Sustainable Travel Grant funds projects that encourage walking and cycling, reduce car journeys and decrease the environmental impact that transport has in our city.
The grant offers:
- Proposals costing £250 or less can be 100 per cent funded by the grant.
- Proposals costing £250 to £20,000, can be 50 per cent covered by the grant, applicants will need to match fund the grant contribution. Match funding can come in the form of volunteer hours.
The grant can only pay costs excluding VAT.
The Sustainable Travel Grant can be used for any project which would improve the sustainability and decrease the environmental impact of transport in Bristol.
For example:
- Cycle storage: bike racks, shelters and hangers or more comprehensive storage buildings.
- Improving deliveries: traffic restrictions and pedestrianisation in some areas mean that some businesses need to change the way they unload stock, this could include freight consolidation projects, e-cargo bike deliveries or building adaptations such as changes to doorways or loading areas
- Community projects: programmes to encourage more cycling or walking, facilities to repair bikes, and areas for safe buggy parking.
Any business, organisation or community group can apply for the Sustainable Travel Grant.
This includes private companies, charities, voluntary organisations, community interest companies and public sector organisations (such as schools or NHS organisations).
The Sustainable Travel Grant cannot be used for:
- Any activity that does not contribute to the grant purpose.
- Anything which unlawfully discriminates against people or is illegal.
- Purchases made prior to grant application and approval.
- New businesses. Business applicants must be able to demonstrate that they're established with accounts filed with Companies House or similar.
- The personal use of the applicant, for example the grant cannot be used to pay for a cargo bike for commuting, personal journeys or family transport.
Sustainable Travel Grants for business are now open.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 30 January 2026.
Business applicants and community groups can apply. In addition to the completed application form, you'll need to include:
- at least one quote, if the cost is below £2,500
- 3 quotes, if the cost is £2,500 or above
Apply
To make sure you submit the best application possible, we encourage you to contact our transport team to discuss your ideas before applying at businessactivetravel@bristol.gov.uk for businesses, or activetravelcommunities@bristol.gov.uk for community groups.
If your application is successful, Bristol City Council will pay 75% of the grant upfront. Payment will be made for the remaining 25% once all monitoring forms and final documentation have been provided.
Grant applications will be considered by a judging panel made up of Bristol City Council officers.
Priority will be given to applications which:
- Would have a demonstrable positive impact on staff/customers.
- Would significantly reduce car or van journeys.
- Would present good value for money.
- Would contribute to Bristol's culture of sustainability in other ways, for example being highly visible in the city and encouraging others to use sustainable transport modes.
- Are from applicants who can demonstrate previous collaboration with Bristol City Council in improving transport in the city, this could involve participation in other council initiatives, including the Travel to Work Survey, the Workplace Travel Network or other sustainable travel initiatives.
If your application is successful, you will need to sign a grant agreement.
Once you have paid for the goods or services, you will need to complete a post-grant questionnaire and provide photographic evidence and receipts.
We will ask to you whether we can use your grant as a case study. This is optional but could provide mutually beneficial publicity for your organisation and the grants process.