Regular cycling is a simple yet powerful tool to boost public health. As a form of daily physical activity, it helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes by keeping people active. Pedalling instead of driving also means cleaner air – every trip by bike cuts down on traffic emissions, leading to lower air pollution and a healthier environment.

Moreover, cycling offers an inclusive transport option for underserved communities: bicycles are affordable to own or share, giving low-income and disadvantaged groups better access to jobs, education and healthcare. In this way, promoting cycling simultaneously creates healthier communities, a cleaner climate and greater social equity in our cities.

Each Healthy Cycling Challenge project submission must align with at least one of two core principles that guide this initiative’s vision.

1.  The first principle, active and accessible neighbourhoods, focuses on encouraging everyday cycling in local communities and ensuring all residents can safely choose to cycle for short trips.

2.  The second core principle, resilient and equitable infrastructure, centres on creating or improving cycling infrastructure that is safe, durable and designed for everyone.

In addition to these two core themes, participants are encouraged to incorporate two optional principles into their projects: vibrant and safe public spaces and integrated and connected destinations. These optional principles emphasise creating lively, safe public areas and linking cycling with other transport modes and key destinations. Together, all four principles align with a vision of cities where cycling is integrated into healthy, green and inclusive urban life.

The Healthy Cycling Challenge welcomes a wide range of ideas and innovations that can be tailored to local contexts and scaled up for broader impact. From vibrant neighbourhood campaigns that encourage cycling as part of daily life to community-driven design that reshapes streets into safe, welcoming spaces, the challenge is about empowering local solutions that put people first.

It’s also a call for bold policy changes, ensuring cycling reaches underserved areas through affordable bike-sharing, incentives, and dedicated funding. Three outstanding submissions will each receive $100,000 USD to bring their transformative ideas to life, helping build healthier, happier and more connected urban communities.

By investing in cycling as an everyday solution, cities can create neighbourhoods where health, mobility and opportunity are built into the community—where everyone has the right to cycle.

Submit your proposal now – access the submission platform here

Applications are open until 26 June 2025