The governing bodies\u2019 combined call for enhanced cycling funding comes after new research, undertaken using methodology developed by Sheffield Hallam University, State of Life, and Manchester Met University, showed that the \u2018Places to Ride\u2019 programme has delivered over \u00a3100m in \u2018social value\u2019 across the UK, while saving the NHS over \u00a313m.<\/p>\n
![\"Places](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/abbey-road-group-kids-riding-bikes-path-park.jpg\" "\\"Places")
Places to Ride, Abbey Road – A group of kids riding bikes on a path in a park (credit: British Cycling)<\/p>\n
Launched in 2019 as a \u00a315m funding scheme awarded by the government as part of the 2019 UCI road world championships in Yorkshire, Places to Ride is the largest ever investment in community cycling facilities in England, reaching half a million people, many of whom learned to ride a bike for the first time through the project.<\/p>\n
A collaboration with Sport England and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the project has delivered over 150 community cycling facilities and opportunities across the country, including BMX pump tracks, mountain bike trails, school cycle routes, and forest and park bike trails.<\/p>\n
83 per cent of Places to Ride\u2019s projects have focused on children and young people, while 41 per cent centred on women and girls, 35 per cent on supporting low-income groups, and 41 per cent engaging people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, and depression.<\/p>\n
According to data gathered by Sport England, between its launch in 2019 and November 2025, Places to Ride has had a \u201cseismic impact in healthcare prevention costs\u201d, saving the NHS \u00a313.1m.<\/p>\n
By estimating the savings resulting from the reduced cases of a range of conditions stemming from participating in the project, Sport England found that the NHS saved \u00a33.7m in Type 2 Diabetes cases over the five-year period in question, as a well \u00a33.5m for depression, \u00a31.18m for reduced psychological stress, \u00a31.12m for coronary heart disease, and \u00a31.08m for stroke. The number of reduced GP visits from participants also saved the NHS \u00a3854,131, according to the data.<\/p>\n
![\"No](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/no-limits-health-bicycle-parked-green-container.jpg\" "\\"No")
No Limits to Health, Wolverhampton – A bicycle parked in a green container (credit: British Cycling)<\/p>\n
One example of Places to Ride\u2019s work, the \u2018No Limits to Health\u2019 project in Wolverhampton, was cited by a PhD researcher at Edge Hill University as a \u201cleading example of cycling as social prescribing\u201d, thanks to its community-based support bringing physical and mental health benefits to thousands of people in the region.<\/p>\n
The project received \u00a38,661 of Places to Ride funding (securing over \u00a33,000 of match funding in the process) to buy bikes and safety equipment, as well as purchasing a storage container and CCTV, to enable people in the East Park area of Wolverhampton to learn basic bike handling skills and grow in confidence.<\/p>\n
The research undertaken by Sheffield Hallam and Manchester Met shows this project and its three cycle hubs have so far brought nearly \u00a350,000 of social value to the area, the equivalent of \u00a3231 for each participant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough my PhD, I saw the real-life stories from projects showing how the Places to Ride investments improved physical and mental health, strengthened communities, and tackled inequalities through place-based investment,\u201d Nina Smith, SEND and mental health lecturer at Edge Hill University, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime and time again people told me that they experienced improved mental and physical health, reduced isolation, and a renewed sense of confidence and community connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was especially true for groups often excluded from mainstream sport \u2013 such as disabled children and adults, for whom cycling proved uniquely accessible. The impact on people\u2019s lives has been truly transformational.\u201d<\/p>\n
>\u00a0Total cost of hosting Glasgow World Championships to exceed budget by 20% as reports claim Scottish Government spent \u00a39 million to improve cycling facilities<\/a><\/p>\n In Scotland, meanwhile, the Cycling Facilities Fund \u2013 launched as a legacy project of the 2023 Glasgow \u2018mega\u2019 world championships \u2013 has seen \u00a38 million invested into cycling projects, while unlocking over \u00a318 million in match funding for 31 facilities so far.<\/p>\n And with Yorkshire 2019 and Glasgow 2023 delivering an impactful legacy for cycling across Britain, British Cycling hopes the same can be said of next summer\u2019s double Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part extravaganza, when the men\u2019s and women\u2019s editions of cycling\u2019s biggest race will start in Edinburgh and Leeds, respectively<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cPlaces to Ride has demonstrated the power of targeted public investment,\u201d British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have hundreds of stories alongside the raw data to show how people\u2019s lives \u2013 particularly those in underserved groups \u2013 have been and continue to be transformed by the project. It has increased cycling participation and narrowed inequalities, providing more opportunities in communities which needed it most.<\/p>\n \u201cThis next phase will build on that proven model with high impact for relatively small investment. With \u00a330 million, we will deliver over 250 new or upgraded cycling facilities across England, Scotland and Wales, with a continued focus on inclusion, innovation and local need.<\/p>\n \u201cCrucially, this investment will unlock significant match funding from local authorities, charities, commercial partners and communities themselves, ensuring public money goes much further.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will also align with national strategies on health, inclusion, active travel and levelling up, whilst playing a vital part in creating a lasting legacy across the home nations ahead of the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grands D\u00e9parts.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Wythenshawe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wythenshawe-park-dirt-track-trees-background.jpg\" "\\"Wythenshawe")
Wythenshawe Park, Places to Ride – A dirt track with trees in the background (credit: British Cycling)<\/p>\n