Walking, wheeling and cycling saved the NHS almost £2 billion and removed up to 2.9 million cars from the road every day last year, according to a study conducted by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
The Walking and Cycling Index, conducted in collaboration with 17 regional and local partners, shows that walking, wheeling and cycling prevent an estimated 28,037 serious long-term health conditions each year, including 8,691 hip fractures, 6,797 cases of dementia, 2,402 cases of coronary heart disease, 2,312 cases of depression and over 2,000 cases of other conditions.
Moreover, 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are saved each year through walking, wheeling and cycling.
The study also examines the benefits of cycling. Last year, UK residents made 434.4 million cycling trips, covering 4.2 million miles per day. Shopping, personal business and social trips accounted for around 132.4 million journeys, followed by commuting (130.1 million) and leisure (83.3 million).
The Index uses its Societal Gain model to compare the costs and benefits of cycling with those of driving. For these journeys, between £1.25 and £1.84 is saved for every mile cycled instead of driven. Over a year, this amounts to £1.11 billion in economic benefits for residents and society from 688.9 million miles cycled by people who could have used a car.
The physical activity benefits of cycling are estimated to prevent 545 early deaths annually, valued at £2.24 billion. These figures are calculated using the WHO/Europe Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT).
Studies also show that walking or cycling frees up road space compared with driving, helping to keep UK Index areas moving for all road users. Around 360,000 return trips are cycled daily by residents who could have used a car.
Despite the benefits of cycling, walking and wheeling, safety concerns continue to deter many people from choosing to cycle, with women only half as likely as men to cycle regularly. This highlights the need for better-designed streets and protected infrastructure.
Residents are calling for greater support to cycle, with 53% wanting access to a bicycle and 44% to an electric cycle. Demand also extends to more specialised options, with 34% seeking access to a cargo cycle for carrying children or shopping and 26% to adapted cycles such as tricycles or handcycles. In addition, 47% would like access to or improvements in city cycle hire schemes, while 54% highlight the need for secure cycle parking at or near their homes. A further 42% express interest in cycling training courses and organised social rides.
A majority of residents say improved infrastructure would help them start cycling or cycle more. Around 67% want more traffic-free cycle paths away from roads, such as through parks or along waterways, while 63% call for additional cycle lanes along roads that are physically separated from traffic and pedestrians. Some 62% would like more clearly signposted local routes along quieter streets, and 66% highlight the importance of better integration with public transport, including secure cycle parking at train stations and bus stops.
“This year’s Index makes it clear that everyday journeys by walking, wheeling and cycling are closely linked to long-term health outcomes. When people can travel actively, there are significant population-level physical and mental health benefits, which in turn reduce pressure on the NHS,” said Tim Burns, Head of Research at the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust. “By investing in safe, accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes, we also help people access education, work and green space while creating cleaner, more liveable places for everyone.”