A new report by the BMA ‘Healthy transport = Healthy lives,’ which calls for ambitious new targets for cycling and walking and government funding necessary to achieve them, has been described as ‘spot on’ by transport charity Sustrans.

The report highlights ‘active travel’ – cycling and walking to work, school and the shops – as a key solution to the nation’s health problems and mounting NHS costs. 1 South West would like to think that the work it and others have engaged in with leisure cycling is also a key to improving the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Malcolm Shepherd, Chief Executive for Sustrans, said:

“The BMA is the biggest, most influential voice in health – when they say our transport system needs a re-think, we know it’s time for politicians, government departments and local councils to take heed.

“Experts have been saying for years that making it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle will help prevent deadly diseases, save lives and save the NHS billions in future healthcare costs.

“Unfortunately things appear to be going in the other direction with the government continuing to prioritise motoring over public transport, walking and cycling.

“The BMA’s call for ambitious targets for walking and cycling – and for the necessary funding to achieve this – is spot on and absolutely critical. We simply cannot afford the future costs of failing to prioritise this.”

The BMA report ‘Healthy transport = healthy lives’ is available at http://www.bma.org.uk/.