Active Travel England has published the funding allocations for 11 local authorities taking part in a £13.9 million trial that enables health workers to prescribe walking and cycling to patients.

The active travel social prescribing scheme, was launched in August 2022, and is supporting councils to launch a range of projects that will evaluate the impact of active travel on an individual’s physical and mental health. This could be through reduced demand for healthcare appointments and reduced reliance on medication due to more physical activity.

Bradford City Council has received £1.34 million to deliver projects that will see patients offered free access to guided walking and cycling activities, cycle training and bike loans.

The council in Plymouth has received £1.2 million to help tackle patients’ individual barriers to active travel by working with them to develop personal walking and cycling plans.

Active travel commissioner Chris Boardman said: "Many studies have shown active travel has massive health benefits. Enabling everyone in England to travel under their own steam will help reduce conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, whilst at the same time, improving mental wellbeing.

"We aim to use these trials to build on the existing evidence to show how bringing transport, active travel and health together can help build a healthier nation in an easy and sustainable way."

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