Three community groups have been awarded a total of £25,000 from Transport for London to encourage people from different backgrounds to take up cycling.

Enfield Council has established a cycling network, funded by TfL, and several initiatives including an extensive education programme, health and wellbeing programmes and school engagement activities.

The Palmers Green Mosque and British Alevi Federation applied for and were given grants for £10,000 over a three year period and the Enfield Children and Young Person’s Services applied for and received a £5,000 grant for one year.

The British Alevi Foundation, working together with the London Cycling Club (Londra Bisiklet Kulubu), will run a project for Turkish and Kurdish speakers. It aims to provide cycle training and free bike hire for its members. The club will also organise events and weekly group rides.

London Cycling Club chairman Ozgur Korkmaz, who rode from London to Istanbul in 2018, wants to encourage the Turkish speaking community to cycle and improve their mental and physical health.

He said: “We’re here to help build stronger communities, connecting people living in London. We want to provide a safe and friendly environment for cycling and promote a healthy and active lifestyle through cycling and walking.”

A spokesperson for the Muslim Community & Education Community Centre (MCEC) at Palmers Green Mosque confirmed they are aiming to replicate the Walthamstow-based Muslim women cycle group, Cycle Sisters, and teach more Muslim women to ride, leading to bi-weekly social rides.

They said: “We want our cycling club to be a social event as well as providing a great form of exercise. In time, our new members will have the confidence to ride on the road by cycling as part of a group”.

Enfield Children and Young Person’s Services is expanding its focus on women’s physical health and wellbeing by offering group cycling sessions to help build confidence and reduce social isolation, with a focus on women from black, asian and minority ethnic groups.

A spokesperson said: “We want to ensure cycling is inclusive and accessible for everyone regardless of their financial background. There is a huge gap between people who have a healthier lifestyle and those who cannot afford to access activities in the borough. We want to bridge that gap by providing affordable activities.”

The council’s deputy leader and chairman of the Climate Change Task Force, Cllr Ian Barnes, said: “These grants are a wonderful opportunity for under-represented groups to take up cycling. Enfield Council is here to support anyone who wants to get active and in turn, we will make Enfield a more sustainable, inclusive and healthier place to live in, with cleaner air and less congested roads.

“For those wanting to make short journeys across Enfield, the cycle lane network provides an efficient and easy way to travel, particularly for those who may be new to cycling.”

Enfield Council will offer the groups ongoing help and support to ensure the schemes are successful.

The initiative is part of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s plans to have 80 percent of journeys in London to be either by public transport, walking or cycling by 2041.