The Mayor of West Yorkshire has welcomed new funding announced by the Department for Transport on Monday, 22 August that will build on the region’s pioneering “cycling on prescription” scheme.
Bradford and Leeds are set to benefit from more than £1.3 million each, as part of a £12.7 million package to offer walking, wheeling* and cycling on prescription as part of an England-wide trial.
The funding will go towards several pilot projects, including adult cycle training, free bike loans and walking groups.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has been delivering its Cycle for Health scheme in partnership with Cycling UK since 2016.
The scheme is aimed at tackling health inequalities by offering people with long-term conditions a 12-week programme of cycle training.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “More than 1,000 people across West Yorkshire have already benefitted from our Cycle for Health scheme”.
“Participants have reported significant improvements in their mental and physical health”. This funding for new pilot schemes will help us do even more to tackle health inequalities,” she added.
The Department for Transport had, on Monday, announced that Bradford and Leeds were among the 11 areas in the country chosen for the pilot project running until 2025 and aimed at reducing health disparity.
