This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 892


18 Sep 2025

Cargo bikes are fast becoming a cleaner alternative to diesel vans in London, offering a sustainable way to make deliveries and cut the city’s dependence on polluting vehicles, new...

18 Sep 2025

Cycling Scotland has highlighted the crucial distinction between legal and illegal e-bikes, warning that confusion risks undermining public trust in a technology that is helping thousands switch...

17 Sep 2025

Cycling retail specialists including the ACT has praised a recent Guardian feature on the topic of e-bikes and the use of illegal and unregulated models, with the piece providing...

15 Sep 2025

Dublin-based cycle workshop the Rediscovery Centre has achieved Cytech accreditation for its workshop team after completing advanced training with Activate Cycle Academy, an Oxford-based...

12 Sep 2025

Norwegian company Ampliuz is aiming to replicate the widespread network of EV chargers with a dedicated public charging system for e-bikes.

11 Sep 2025

With D2C bike brands facing significant headwinds, local bike have seen modest but real improvements in profits and prospects. Partnerships like ACT and Bikmo are helping independents strengthen...

5 Sep 2025

The average cycle trip in England lasted 24 minutes in 2024, remaining consistent with the previous year, new figures from the National Travel Survey have revealed.

4 Sep 2025

A panel event hosted by ACT Director Jonathan Harrison will focus on retailer experiences and how they are adapting to a number of challenges within the sector at this year’s inaugural...

3 Sep 2025

Cycling just two miles to work can improve heart health by up to 30 per cent compared with driving, new research has shown.

3 Sep 2025

The UK is far behind most European countries in e-bike sales, according to new research from ACT member Paul's Cycles.

Back to news menu

Funding for walking and cycling prescription trial announced.

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Eleven local authorities in England have been funded to enable health workers prescribe walking and cycling to patients.

handlebars

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

Recipients include Bradford City Council, which 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.

In Plymouth, the council is using its £1.2 million share of the funding 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.”

Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman said:

“This funding will help thousands more people across the country to realise the mental and physical health benefits that walking and cycling brings.

Prescribing walking and cycling will not only improve the health and wellbeing of people across the country but will also reduce pressure on the NHS and help people to choose more sustainable transport choices.”

The full list of allocations for the £13.9 million social prescribing fund is:

  • Bath & North East Somerset Council - £1,612,773
  • City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council - £1,340,145
  • Cornwall Council - £844,641
  • Cumbria County Council - £1,496,432
  • Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council - £665,000
  • Gateshead Council - £1,431,240
  • Leeds City Council - £1,373,444
  • Nottingham City Council - £1,588,785
  • Plymouth City Council - £1,241,722
  • Staffordshire County Council - £834,458
  • Suffolk County Council - £1,490,506

The government committed to fund active travel social prescribing pilots as part of the gear change plan in 2020. The pilots are taking a pioneering approach that will see active travel and health officials work together to develop a whole systems approach to health improvement and tackling health disparities.

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.