Initiative to get ‘Greater Manchester moving’ looks to save NHS £millions

Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, and Ian Drake, British Cycling CEO, launch the Greater Manchester Cycling Partnership in tandem

A major new approach aiming to save the NHS in Greater Manchester millions of pounds by inspiring people to get more physically active was launched today (Tuesday 7 July) at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

The ‘Greater Manchester Moving’ blueprint – thought to be the first of its kind in the UK – brings together regional health, sport, transport and local government organisations to collectively tackle physical inactivity.

The blueprint aims to inspire people to be more active through cycling and walking more, as well as taking part in sport.

Physical inactivity contributes to increased rates of chronic conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, costing the NHS in Greater Manchester more than £35m per year.

In the UK physical inactivity is the fourth largest cause of disease and disability, with one in six deaths linked to insufficient levels of activity and exercise.

Across the city region, nearly half of all adults do not meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations for physical activity and a third engage in less than 30 minutes of activity per week, while 20% of children are classed as obese, statistics worse than national averages.

The launch event also saw Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and British Cycling seal a new partnership with a combined pledge of over £400,000 to deliver an exciting range of new cycle initiatives through to March 2016.

The Greater Manchester Cycling Partnership will make it easier than ever before for people to get on their bikes with the offer of at least 4,000 free places on organised bike rides on more than 300 Sky Ride Local rides, Breeze rides and Ride Social rides organised by British Cycling across Greater Manchester.

Alongside the ride opportunities for all abilities, more experienced cyclists will be offered the opportunity to gain a formal cycling qualification by training as a British Cycling Ride Leader or Breeze Champion.

The Cycling Partnership is the first fruit of Greater Manchester Moving, instigated by regional charity, GreaterSport, and supported by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), Greater Manchester Association of Clinical Commissioning Groups, New Economy and Public Health England.

Greater Manchester Moving is another first for the area, which will be the test bed for the country through its multi-agency partnership approach to tackling inactivity.

Yvonne Harrison, Chief Executive of GreaterSport, said: “Launching Greater Manchester Moving signifies the start of a movement to increase levels of physical activity and sport among the people of Greater Manchester. Partners have committed to a collaborative way of working to influence people’s behaviour at pace and scale to help improve the quality of life for our residents.”

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, commented: “We’ve been working very closely with British Cycling for some time so it’s great to formalise that partnership in a way that will offer real benefits for people right across Greater Manchester.

“Cycling is already booming in the area, with TfGM investing more than £40m in over 100km of cycle routes and other infrastructure over the next three years. The partnership will help us reach out to even more people by offering fun riding opportunities that can lead to a healthy lifestyle change. Cycling is a great way to get active and the more people we can help get back in the saddle, the better.”

Councillor Cliff Morris, lead on health for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), said: “Too many people in Greater Manchester currently don't do enough exercise but as an area we're on the move, doing new and innovative things to help people get healthier and encourage them to get more active.

“Greater Manchester Moving should make a significant contribution towards this.”