Obesity: Boris Johnson to push in £2bn fund to build bike lanes in UK

UK prime minister, Boris Johnson has released a huge sum of £2bn fund to build thousands of miles of protected bike lanes in an effort to cut down on obesity.

While speaking on Tuesday, he said that the multi-billion pound fund is the “biggest and boldest plan” to improve the uptake of cycling and walking as part of a “long-term vision” to improve the health of the nation.

The announcement branded a “re-announcement” by Labour forms part of a major push to reduce obesity and will be combined with new bans on junk food advertising and displaying calories on menus in pubs and restaurants.

Under new pilot plans, GPs in England will be given the ability to make bikes available on prescription for overweight patients, with a new national e-bike system being set up to provide opportunities for older people or those less fit.

Meanwhile, a new inspectorate will be set up to help build thousands of miles of protected cycle lanes in towns and cities with plans to overhaul the Highway Code in a bid to better protect pedestrians and cyclists.