Cyclists will be handed £50 vouchers to fix their bikes as part of Government new drive to combat obesity.
From Tuesday, people in England will be able to snap up coupons for discounted bike services – initially promised in June by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
More than 50,000 vouchers were due to be released at midnight on Tuesday, with further batches to follow to cope with the overwhelming demand for bike repairs during lockdown.
Moves to help the public “drag bikes out of retirement” came as Boris Johnson was expected to say that GPs in areas of England with poor health should prescribe cycling and provide overweight patients with access bikes on the NHS.
New protected cycle lanes and cycle training for adults and children are also part of the new plans to promote cycling and walking.
(Image: PA)
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Prime Minister said: “From helping people get fit and healthy and lowering their risk of illness, to improving air quality and cutting congestion, cycling and walking have a huge role to play in tackling some of the biggest health and environmental challenges that we face.
“But to build a healthier, more active nation, we need the right infrastructure, training and support in place to give people the confidence to travel on two wheels.
“That’s why now is the time to shift gears and press ahead with our biggest and boldest plans yet to boost active travel – so that everyone can feel the transformative benefits of cycling.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said this is a “once in a lifetime opportunity to create a shift in attitudes” to make cycling or walking part of daily routines.
The move comes as Mr Johnson’s brush with coronavirus caused him to abandoned his opposition to Government interventions on obesity – which he previously dismissed as a crusade by the “nanny state”.
The Prime Minister admitted he was “way overweight” when he was hospitalised with Covid-19 and urged Brits to lose weight to curb the effects of the virus.
His new obesity campaign includes a ban on junk food ads before the 9pm watershed and an end to two-for-one deals in supermarkets.
