How does the provision of cycle route align to health and wellbeing agenda?

Investing in infrastructure to provide safe, attractive, convenient walking and cycling routes are a means by which the built environment can have a positive influence on improving physical and mental wellbeing. Walking and cycling, whether as transport or recreation, is beneficial to mental health, can help to tackle problems of inactivity and contribute to the wider obesity agenda:

• Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of death in the UK.
• Increased investment in cycling and walking could help narrow social economic inequalities in physical activity levels, as those from lower social economic backgrounds are more likely to use active travel (like cycling and walking) than those from more affluent backgrounds.
• Tackling obesity is one of the greatest long-term health challenges currently faced in England and the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the health consequences of living with an unhealthy weight.