Advertisement
In association with Specsavers

34,000 people could avoid major illnesses by cycling more

The study said rates of diabetes, cancer and depression would decrease by 2040 if the government committed to increasing cycling

Some 34,000 people across seven UK cities could prevent the onset of life-threatening diseases by 2040 if cycling became as popular as it is in London, a report has revealed.

Walking and cycling charity Sustrans looked at the health, economic and environmental benefits of cycling could look like within 21 years in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester and Newcastle. The analysis shows that cases of type 2 diabetes, stroke, breast cancer and depression would decrease if people in those cities swapped other kinds of transport for cycling.

The study, based on existing cycling data from cities across the UK, argues for doubling average cycling trips every eight years between 2017 and 2040. This eight-fold increase in cycling would equate to over 242.4 million hours of physical activity. It is estimated that this would prevent 628 early deaths, generate £21bn savings for the economy and £319m savings for the NHS (which currently spends £1bn a year as a result of inactivity).

The charity warned that the substantial health benefits from increased cycling would only be possible with long-term political commitment and investment across government. It called for a high-quality cycling network, neighbourhoods redesigned with walkers and cyclers in mind, incentives for people to change their travel behaviours and for cycling to become fully integrated with public transport, home and work.

Xavier Brice, Sustrans chief executive, said: “Our report provides 34,000 reasons why governments across the UK should prioritise investment in cycling. Every part of the country is facing a physical inactivity and obesity crisis, which is why decision-makers need to get on the front foot and tackle these problems head-on.

“Prevention is better than cure is an often repeated mantra of health ministers across the UK, but tackling the deepening health crisis shouldn’t be left to the NHS alone.”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Learn more about our impact

When most people think about the Big Issue, they think of vendors selling the Big Issue magazines on the streets – and we are immensely proud of this. In 2022 alone, we worked with 10% more vendors and these vendors earned £3.76 million in collective income. There is much more to the work we do at the Big Issue Group, our mission is to create innovative solutions through enterprise to unlock opportunity for the 14million people in the UK living in poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
Simple steps which ease stress and anxiety to get yourself out of a funk
Mental health

Simple steps which ease stress and anxiety to get yourself out of a funk

How can you cope with money worries in the cost of living crisis? We asked experts at leading mental health charities
Mental health

How can you cope with money worries in the cost of living crisis? We asked experts at leading mental health charities

Pollen bomb: Why your hay fever is so bad this year - and how you can beat the symptoms
Summer

Pollen bomb: Why your hay fever is so bad this year - and how you can beat the symptoms

Dr Ranj Singh: 'If you want to be 100 per cent happy, just be yourself'
Happiness

Dr Ranj Singh: 'If you want to be 100 per cent happy, just be yourself'

Most Popular

Read All
How two men outran the KGB to bring Tetris to the world
1.

How two men outran the KGB to bring Tetris to the world

‘We had to turn away a man who hadn’t eaten for two days’: Liverpool café serving homeless people for free broken into twice in two weeks
2.

‘We had to turn away a man who hadn’t eaten for two days’: Liverpool café serving homeless people for free broken into twice in two weeks

Exclusive: Suella Braverman claims to have contributed to a legal textbook. The author says she didn't.
3.

Exclusive: Suella Braverman claims to have contributed to a legal textbook. The author says she didn't.

Cash Carraway on Rain Dogs: 'We always see working-class stories through a middle-class gaze'
4.

Cash Carraway on Rain Dogs: 'We always see working-class stories through a middle-class gaze'