Funding for Active Travel Infrastructure Projects in the Community and Workplace
HITRANS Grants 2026/27 – Active Travel Infrastructure
Funding for Active Travel Infrastructure Projects in the Community and Workplace
HITRANS is pleased to launch two capital grant funds to support active travel across the Highlands and Islands:
- Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant
- Community Cycle Parking Grant
These grants are funded by Transport Scotland’s People and Place Programme and aim to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier, safer and more accessible by improving infrastructure in workplaces and community spaces.
The HITRANS region covers:
Highland · Moray · Orkney Islands · Western Isles · Most of Argyll and Bute
(Helensburgh and Lomond are covered by SPT.)
Key Dates – 2026/27
Applications open via our online portal on 16 February 2026
- Community Cycle Parking Grant closes: 30 April 2026
- Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant closes: 15 May 2026 (5pm)
- Information webinar: 4 March 2026
NEW THIS YEAR: Online application portal!
The online portal allows you to:
- Create and manage your application account
- Save and return before submission
- Upload quotes and supporting documents
- Receive updates on your application
- Automatically calculate project totals based on VAT status
Step-by-step guidance is provided within the portal to support completion.
To apply for funding, applicants must first create an account on our online application portal.
https://hitrans.grantplatform.com/
Before You Apply
We strongly encourage all prospective applicants to:
Read the full Guidance document for your chosen grant fund (scroll down for downloadable documents for each fund)
Attend our information webinar (or watch the recording)
Review relevant best practice guidance (e.g. Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Parking and Storage Guidance)
The guidance documents explain:
Eligibility criteria
Match funding expectations
Scoring framework and assessment process
Planning and permission requirements
Delivery expectations and grant conditions
Applications that demonstrate clear understanding of the fund’s objectives, scoring criteria and delivery requirements are significantly more competitive.
We are happy to discuss project ideas and provide feedback — particularly once applicants have reviewed the guidance and considered how their proposal aligns with the fund criteria.
Keep an eye on our News page for announcements about further funding opportunities in 2026/27.
Community Cycle Parking Grant
Community Cycle Parking Grant
This grant supports local authorities and community organisations to install and improve public cycle parking and related infrastructure.
Eligible projects may include:
- Cycle hoops or stands
- Cycle shelters
- Secure cycle storage
- Public bike repair stands
- Upgrades or improvements to existing cycle parking
- Non-standard storage solutions for community hubs
Projects may be located at:
- Transport hubs
- Schools
- Leisure facilities
- Residential areas
- Community venues
- Other strategic locations
Separate guidance is available for Local Authority and Non-Local Authority applicants.
Impact of 2025/26 Community Cycle Parking Grant
12 projects funded
£257,000 allocated
Multi-project programmes delivered by Highland Council and Moray Council
Funded projects included:
Cycle parking at five schools
Covered shelters at six leisure centres
An e-bike storage hub in Nairn
Cycle parking and repair stands across Moray
Installation at a children’s residential facility in Kirkwall
These projects are strengthening access to safe and secure cycle parking across community locations.
Download Fund Guidance here for Local Authorities
Download Fund Guidance here for non Local Authorities
A Prioritisation List Template to be used only by Local Authorities
Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant
Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant
This grant supports employers to improve facilities that enable staff to walk, wheel or cycle to work.
Eligible project types include (non-exhaustive):
- Cycle shelters (open to staff and visitors)
- Secure/lockable cycle shelters (staff only)
- Static cycle repair stands and pumps
- Bike maintenance tools and equipment
- Improved external lighting to cycle parking
- Improved access paths to cycle parking
- Improved staff changing facilities
- Showers
- Improved storage and drying facilities for outdoor clothing
- Dr Bike sessions
- Repairs or upgrades to existing active travel infrastructure
- Installation of previously purchased infrastructure
- Workplace pool bikes and associated storage/equipment
Projects must focus on increasing walking, wheeling, cycling or sustainable travel.
Who can apply?
- Businesses
- Local authorities
- Community groups
- Voluntary organisations
- Registered charities
- Social enterprises
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
Public and third sector organisations may receive up to 100% funding.
Private businesses are normally expected to provide 50% match funding, with flexibility for SMEs, micro-businesses, or high-impact projects (see guidance).
Typical project values: £500–£10,000
Higher value projects should be discussed with HITRANS before applying.
Impact of 2025/26 Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant
14 projects funded
Approx. £92,000 awarded
Supported SMEs, charities, NHS Boards and local authorities
Projects included:
New and upgraded cycle shelters
Lighting improvements
Pool bikes and storage
Shower and changing facility upgrades
Dr Bike sessions
These projects are helping staff choose active travel more often, improving health, wellbeing and workplace culture.
Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant Information Webinar
Information Webinar – 4 March 2026
We strongly recommend that prospective applicants attend our online information webinar before submitting an application.
The session will:
Explain the purpose and priorities of each fund
Walk through the scoring framework
Highlight common strengths and weaknesses in applications
Share case studies from successful 2025/26 projects
Provide practical guidance on completing the online portal
Include a live Q&A session
A recording will be made available on this page after the event.
Booking details will be available via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hitrans-worplaces-community-cycle-parking-grant-webinar-tickets-1981092076731?aff=oddtdtcreator
To view 2025 grant scheme information webinar – please see video link below. This opportunity, an online information webinar was held on 30th April 2025.
Covered in this session:
- Eligibility and the application process
- Two case studies from last year’s grant recipients
- A live Q&A session
- Top tips, and further resourcesView the recording here:
Testimonial from 24/25 & 25/26 Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant
“Here at CALA we are just so pleased with our new bike shelter funded by HITRANS – as a charity it’s not something we could have funded ourselves, but it was something our staff had asked for and we knew it also met our sustainable and active travels aims. It was such an easy process to apply for the funding, HITRANS staff were really helpful with any questions and offered support along with way and the installation was quick and efficient as well. Having the secure bike shelter has really allowed staff to cycle to and from work and be confident their bikes are safely stored on site – and of course out of any inclement weather! All in all it was a really simple process with excellent results that make such a positive difference to our staff’s health and wellbeing.”
Jaci Douglas, CALA, Inverness, 2024 workplace grant recipient
“CrossFit Cairngorm used support from the HITRANS Workplace Active Travel Grant to install a bike repair stand and tools, helping remove practical barriers for staff and members who choose to travel by bike. This investment complemented match funding from another source for cycle parking, alongside further improvements made directly by the business, including a covered area that protects both bikes and the repair facilities. Together, these measures have helped make cycling a more realistic year-round option – even through a Cairngorm winter – while also enabling shared use by neighbouring businesses as the area develops. The project demonstrates how relatively small workplace investments, combined with business commitment and partnership funding, can deliver wider benefits and lasting impact.”
Ruari & Ellie, Crossfit Cairngorm, Aviemore, 2025 workplace grant recipient
