Practices in 11 districts of England will be prescribing cycling and walking in a new trial, it was announced today.

Practices will be backed by councils who will provide bike loans, cycle training and organise walking groups, the Department of Transport said. Districts involved in the £12 million project include Leeds, Bath, Nottingham, Cornwall, Suffolk and Staffordshire. It will also run in Bradford, Doncaster, Gateshead, Cumbria and Plymouth.

The champion cyclist Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, said: “Moving more will lead to a healthier nation, a reduced burden on the NHS, less cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as huge cost savings. This trial aims to build on existing evidence to show how bringing transport, active travel and health together can make a positive impact on communities across England.”

Walking and Cycling Minister, Trudy Harrison, said:  ”Walking and cycling has so many benefits – from improving air quality in our communities to reducing congestion on our busiest streets. It also has an enormous positive impact on physical and mental health, which is why we have funded these projects which will get people across the country moving and ease the burden on our NHS.”