Walking, wheeling and cycling in Liverpool City Region saves the NHS almost £54 million a year

Walking, wheeling and cycling in the Liverpool City Region saves the NHS £53.8 million a year, equivalent to over one million GP appointments according to the UK’s largest assessment of active travel.

The findings come from Liverpool City Region’s Walking and Cycling Index 2025, launched by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The Index shows that walking, wheeling and cycling prevent an estimated 4,437 serious long term health conditions in Liverpool City Region, thanks to more active lifestyles.

People who travel by walking, using a mobility aid or by bike are helping to create more liveable communities in the region, with strong public support for streets and neighbourhoods designed around people.

Stephen Rice had a serious spinal injury, which limits the distance he can walk. He now rides an e-bike to keep himself fit and well.

“It keeps me strong and supports my mental health. I travel on the Mersey Ferry and the train – taking my bike wherever I go, allowing me to make friends and explore, even with my dog in a trailer. It’s my way of walking and staying independent.

“I hope things continue to improve for the disabled community and the safety of all.”

The Walking and Cycling Index shows Stephen’s experience is far from unique. Across the region, walking, wheeling and cycling are already delivering significant health, economic and social benefits, but many people still face barriers that prevent them from travelling actively.

Jonah Morris, Growth and Partnerships Manager at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said:

“Liverpool City Region is already a city where walking, wheeling and cycling are becoming part of everyday life, and this new report shows the difference they make to the people that live here.

“It shows strong public support for neighbourhoods designed around everyday journeys that can be made easily on foot, with a wheelchair or by bike, whilst highlighting some concerns around safety and infrastructure.”

Key findings from Liverpool City Region’s 2025 Walking and Cycling Index:

• The majority of people surveyed (52%) walk or wheel their journeys five or more times a week.
• Over three quarters (77%) of those surveyed supported having shops, schools, green space and public transport within a short walk or wheel of their home.
• Only 39% of residents surveyed think that their area is safe to cycle, compared to 68% for walking or wheeling and 81% for driving. Many respondents said they wanted to walk, wheel or cycle more, but they didn’t feel able to.
• 78% of people surveyed support improving and increasing off-road walking, wheeling and cycling paths.

Liverpool City Region is taking action to make getting around by walking, wheeling and cycling easier, with new projects to make streets and accessible to everyone.

Since 2019, the City Region have developed more than 150 km of new and improved routes for people to walk, wheel or cycle, and there are a further 76 km in development or under construction. It funds training to help thousands of children learn to cycle safely creating active travel habits earlier in life.

There are also adult training programmes for cycling, cycle parking in businesses, and social prescribing schemes to help people lead healthier lives through walking, wheeling and cycling.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said:

 “Building a modern, integrated transport network is central to our vision for a healthier and more sustainable Liverpool City Region.

“How we choose to navigate our streets, our footpaths and our highways is just as fundamental a part of our region’s future as our £500m investment in public owned trains and taking our buses back into public control.

“Nearly half of all car journeys in our region are less than 5km and we’re committed to changing that, by making walking, cycling and wheeling as safe and easy as possible.

“Using funds from the £1.6bn transport settlement, we’re going to deliver a seismic shift in our active travel infrastructure. This investment will ensure that we can make travelling by foot, bike or wheeling the first choice rather than the last resort – especially for short journeys.

“This new report shows the huge difference that everyday active travel is already making, from improving our health and cleaning up our air, to saving the NHS tens of millions of pounds. It’s clear that when we give people the right options, they will choose them.”

Simon O’Brien, Walking and Cycling Commissioner for the Liverpool City Region, said:

“This report really brings home just how important walking, wheeling and cycling have become to everyday life in our region. It shows thousands of people are already feeling the health and wellbeing benefits – and that there’s strong support for safer streets and better routes.

“We’ve made huge strides in recent years, but what excites me most is how much potential there still is. With more high‑quality paths being built, better connections to public transport, and more people wanting to travel actively, we’re heading in the right direction.

“Active travel isn’t just good for individuals, it helps create greener, healthier and more enjoyable places for all of us. This report gives us the evidence and the encouragement to keep pushing forward.”

The Walking and Cycling Index is a partnership project between Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The report supports local and national decision-makers by providing robust evidence on what is working, and where further action is needed, to help more people choose to walk, wheel or cycle their everyday journeys.

You can download a digital version of the report here:  www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/walking-cycling-index/liverpool-city-region