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Cycling England has endorsed the Health on Wheels guide. Health on wheels was commissioned by the public health team in the Government Office for the North West to bring together best practice from across the region and beyond on cycling referral projects.
The first project began in Stockport in 2002 and the idea has spread quickly across the North West with schemes in more than 15 areas. Doctors, practice nurses, or other health professionals in participating areas can offer the scheme to patients whose health will benefit from some gentle exercise, and who prefer cycling to walking or going to the gym. The led rides are usually in safe off-road areas and are led by qualified cycle trainers. Some of the rides include extras like basic bike maintenance and on-road skills, aiming to get people back into regular cycling.
Cycling England will be developing this approach and piloting a training module in CDTs and some Primary Care Trusts in 2006/7.