Healthy Streets for London

London is facing an inactivity crisis. Over decades, machines, cars and technology have gradually taken over many of the tasks that used to require physical effort. More than 40 per cent of Londoners

do not achieve the recommended 150 minutes of activity a week; and 28 per cent do less than 30 minutes a week. Almost without realising it, we have engineered physical activity out of our daily lives.

The consequences of this shift to more sedentary lifestyles are severe. Lack of physical activity is now one of the biggest threats to our health, increasing the risk of developing a range of chronic diseases including diabetes, dementia, depression and the two biggest killers in London – heart disease and cancer.

We urgently need to design physical activity back into our everyday lives. Active travel – walking more, cycling more, using public transport more – provides the easiest and most affordable way for us all to get more active and live healthier lives. In addition to these health benefits, all the evidence shows that more active travel will reduce air and noise pollution, help combat social isolation, ease congestion, make us safer and bring economic benefits to businesses – large and small – across the Capital.

The Mayor has shown that he is determined to help every Londoner live an active life. He has committed record levels of investment to cycling and active travel and has asked Transport for London (TfL) to put this agenda at the heart of
its decision making. As the Capital’s first

Commissioner for Walking and Cycling, it is my job to work with City Hall, TfL and our wider partners to make this happen.

Our ambition is for all Londoners to enjoy the benefits of being active through walking or cycling for at least 20 minutes a day.

The Healthy Streets Approach provides the framework of policies and strategies we will put in place to achieve this.
At a street level, direct investment in our walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure is vital to providing

a safer, easier, cleaner and more appealing environment for everyone to enjoy.
At a network level, we must design and manage our streets and rail systems so that more active travel becomes part

of every journey. And we need to plan for the future. As London continues to grow, active travel needs to be designed into the fabric of new developments and regeneration projects.

Increasing the number of people walking, cycling and using public transport has the potential to transform London and improve the lives of everyone who lives in, works in and visits this great city. I am committed to working with our public leaders, with businesses and with all

our communities to make this happen.