British Cycling seeks £30m investment to help NHS

British Cycling is asking the government to invest £30m in the next phase of a national scheme supporting communities with cycling infrastructure - suggesting that the first phase of the project has already saved the NHS more than £13m.

The Places to Ride programme was launched in 2019 and has supported more than 150 cycling facilities across the UK.

London has already seen benefits from the scheme, including at the Sutton BMX track in south London, which received £9,000 of funding in 2022.

British Cycling claims that this project alone has effectively led to £172,000 in social value through health, wellbeing and other benefits.

British Cycling, which is the national governing body for cycling, said the £13.1m in NHS savings came from the reduced risks of conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression, as well as leading to the need for fewer GP and A&E visits.

With the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes coming to the UK in 2027, British Cycling's managing director Ed Clancy believes London could see a renewed boost in enthusiasm for cycling in its various forms - and that now is the time to support the sport at a grassroots level.

The organisation, which highlights Sutton BMX as evidence of what such grants can deliver across London's boroughs, wants to expand cycling-related opportunities in the capital.

Paulus Graham, who runs sessions at the Sutton track, said the benefits went far beyond fitness.

He said: "Cycling is a massive boost in terms of physical and mental health. Some of these kids learn stuff about resilience when they actually fall; how to get back up.

"Some of these kids are learning about mental discipline, actually getting up out of bed and turning up at 9am."

Among the regular riders is eight-year-old Enid, who has been doing BMX since she was one.

She says being on the track feels like she is "flying".

Her dad, Ben, says the sport has transformed her focus and confidence.

"She's got so much energy and this just really gets it out. She often has trouble focusing on schoolwork and things like that, but with this it's just laser focus on what she's been asked to do. She loves it."

He says the track "brings together a community that wouldn't necessarily get together otherwise".

"You can see here there's so many different kids from different schools, different parents, different backgrounds, but everyone just comes along and gets on the track and has a lovely time."

Several other London projects have received funding, including Core Arts in Hackney (£27,000), Herne Hill Velodrome (£11,420) and Brixton BMX Track (£15,000).

British Cycling, which runs the scheme with Sport England and DCMS, says a further £30m would allow the creation of 250 new community cycling spaces.

Clancy, a former Team GB Olympian, said accessible facilities were essential in a busy city where many beginners may be reluctant to ride on the road.

"It's really important that people have a safe and accessible place to ride," he said.

"If beginner cyclists, children in particular, are not confident and able to go out on to the roads, they need places to get on the bikes.

"I appreciate there's always asks for budget and money from the government, but it seems to be money well spent and there is a 1 to 6.5 return on investment."

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