16 Jul A Guide to Obtaining Cycle Storage Funding
Transportation is consistently the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions which causes air pollution and other environmental damage. Encouraging alternative modes of transport is key to reducing these levels of pollution.
Cycling has many benefits for our mental and physical health as well as being better for the environment. It helps to protect against heart attack, depression, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis and provides a fun, low-impact form of exercise for all ages.
If you want to encourage your pupils and staff to cycle to school for everyday journeys, appropriate cycle storage should be provided on-site so that bikes are safe and secure while their owners are in your building. However, school funding is often stretched to the limit so this blog post looks at the types of cycle storage funding that is available, and how Miko Engineering can guide you through the process.
Why Is Cycle Storage Beneficial For Schools?
Designated cycle parking and storage areas have a number of benefits for schools:
| Benefit | |
| Promoting Active Lifestyles | Providing somewhere safe and secure for bikes to be stored encourages staff and students to get on their bikes and reep all of the benefits of exercising outside for their mental and physical health. |
| Environmental Sustainability | Cycling offers a mode of transport that is kind to the environment and helps to reduce levels of air pollution. It provides a sustainable way of getting around for everyday journeys. |
| Adds Positive Image to School | Good quality cycle storage improves the kerb appeal of your school building and helps to promote a positive first impression. It s hows that your school cares about the environment and the health of its staff and students. |
What You Need To Know About Government Cycle Storage Funding
The benefits for schools in having cycle storage facilities are clear. The following section looks at how schools and other educational facilities can obtain grant funding for their bike storage projects.
Government Grants
In the early 2000s, the government launched a capital grant scheme that enabled schools across the country to gain access to funding for cycle storage projects. The scheme was introduced to encourage schools to promote not only a healthier way for staff and students to get to school, but to also reduce the number of cars on the road thereby reducing carbon pollution and making the air cleaner and safer.
This funding from the Department of Education (DofE) now falls into two categories:
- School condition allocations (SCA). Funds are paid to the eligible body responsible for maintaining the school building such as the local authority.
- The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). This is a bidding procedure and funds are paid directly to a single academy trust, small multi-academy trust (MATs), or small voluntary aided bodies (VA) and sixth-form colleges.
Funding Allocation
The amount of grant funding allocated to each individual school, sixth-form college or academy trust will depend on a number of factors. These include the number of pupils, the type of school and ages of students, the location, and the condition of the facilities already available.
For example, a school with 50 primary pupils and 500 secondary pupils could receive around £13,000. If the school were a VA school, the total would be around £14,000.
The local authority receives the payment for schools they maintain which they must pass on to the individual school. Other educational institutions such as academy trusts and VA bodies receive their funding directly from the DofE.
Application Process
Applications are made to the DofE. To qualify, several criteria must be met, including the preparation and implementation of a school travel plan (STP) to assess the level of traffic and other issues to promote sustainable and active travel.
FAQs About Cycle Storage Funding
Who is eligible?
All primary and secondary schools in England are eligible to apply whether they are maintained by the local authority or an academy. The funding can also be used for street furniture and other products such as canopies, walkways, and storage lockers that promote sustainable travel for staff and pupils.
What can we spend the funding on?
The funding must be used for capital projects with priority being given to those that improve the energy efficiency of a school’s estate so things like cycle storage and cycling infrastructure that encourage staff and pupils to cycle to school thereby reducing traffic pollution.
How can my school apply for funding?
Applications for this type of grant funding are made directly to the DofE. The criteria may include the requirement to create and implement an STP that includes information such as the number of staff and pupils, ages or students, a statement about travel issues, and survey details.
Get In Touch For Cycle Storage Solutions
Miko Engineering is one of the UK’s leading street furniture suppliers. We design and manufacture a wide range of bespoke shelter and storage solutions for schools and educational facilities. Our expert team will guide you through your project from advising about the funding process to the initial design, right through to installation.
Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help you create cycle storage that benefits your staff, pupils, and the environment.
