MORE than 1,000 people across the region have boosted their mental health in the past four years thanks to a groundbreaking scheme which sees patients prescribed cycling by healthcare professionals.

The Cycle for Health project aims to tackle health inequalities by offering people with long-term conditions a 12-week programme of cycling skills training.

In the past year alone, 141 people have taken part following referrals from GP surgeries, hospitals, clinical commissioning groups and mental health charities.

Participants have reported greater feelings of wellbeing, confidence and relaxation.

The initiative is provided through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme, designed to encourage more people to travel by bike and on foot, in partnership with the charity Cycling UK.

Councillor Kim Groves, chairman of the combined authority’s transport committee, said she was delighted with the success of the scheme.

She added: “We often hear cycling described as a ‘magic pill’ or ‘miracle pill’ – something that can help make people happier and healthier, live longer and cut public health costs – followed by questions about why it’s not being prescribed to the nation.

“Our Cycle for Health scheme is leading the way and this demonstrates the scale of our ambition, not only in encouraging more people to travel by bike, but also ensuring our residents are given the tools they need to lead happier, healthier lives.

“What’s more, over a third of the people who’ve taken part in the scheme during the past year live in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country, proving schemes like this are helping tackle health inequalities where it matters most.”

At the start of the programme, 82 per cent of participants were not meeting NHS physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week, with 31 per cent doing less than 30 minutes a week. Immediately following the course, the proportion meeting physical activity guidelines rose to 73 per cent, with 61 per cent reporting their fitness had increased.

Tom Murray, for Cycling UK, said: “The feedback from people who’ve been on the scheme is overwhelmingly positive, and over the course of 12 weeks we can see huge improvements in both their physical and mental health.”