An estimated 34,000 cases of eight life-threatening conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, stroke, breast cancer and depression, would be prevented in seven major cities between 2017 and 2040, if cycling increased at rates like those seen since the millennium in London.

Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, has today published a first of its kind report which looks at what the health, economic and environmental benefits of cycling could look like by 2040 in seven UK cities: Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester and Newcastle.

Transforming Cities: The potential of everyday cycling is based on data from Bike Life, the largest assessment of cycling in UK cities, and highlights the impact of doubling cycling trips every eight years between 2017 and 2040.

It has estimated that more than one billion cycling trips would take place in 2040 in those major cities, which is an eight-fold increase from 123 million trips. This would:

• Equate to over 242.4 million hours of additional physical activity;
• Prevent 628 early deaths;
• Generate £21 billion of savings to the economy, including 319 million of savings to the NHS over the 23-year period.

England's chief medical officer and the UK government recommend adults get 150 minutes of physical activity each week. However in 2015, 34 per cent of men and 42 per cent of women reported that they did not meet UK guidelines on physical activity.

Physical inactivity currently costs the NHS around £1bn each year, and when including costs to wider society, this rises to around £7.4bn each year.

A new report from the World Health Organisation states non-communicable diseases (NCDs): cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer are one of the key global health threats and recommends governments meet physical activity targets to tackle the growing epidemic of NCDs.

In the UK, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued a proposal earlier this month, which recommends city planners should develop connected travel routes which prioritise pedestrians and people on bikes. Sustrans warns that the substantial health benefits from increased cycling are only possible if long term political commitment and investment across government exist.

Sustrans, along with other walking and cycling organisations, wants the government to commit five per cent of the transport budget on active travel, raising to 10% by 2025 in the next Comprehensive Spending Review. This would amount to £17 per person annually in 2020/21.

Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, said: "Bristol demonstrated it is possible for a city to double cycling in 10 years, and we are committed to continuing this momentum to ensure we meet future goals, not least improving air quality and meeting our carbon neutral targets.

"Our draft Transport Strategy presents a vision for Bristol to be a well-connected city that enables people to move around efficiently with increased transport options that are accessible and inclusive to everyone. Making space and improving safety for walking, cycling and public transport will enable us to meet this goal."

Xavier Brice, Chief Executive at Sustrans said: "Our report provides 34,000 reasons why governments across the UK should prioritise investment in cycling. Every part of the country is facing a physical inactivity and obesity crisis, which is why decision-makers need to get on the front foot and tackle these problems head on."

Punchline said: "There's never been a better time to get on your bike, and that is just the same in Gloucestershire as it is in the big cities. The only problem we have here is that the cycle lanes are rubbish, with large parts of our towns and neighbourhoods with no safe cycle paths. If we're committed to being healthier as a county, people need to feel that they can cycle in safety, which means investment in cycle lanes."

Photo credit Max Bender on Unsplash