The Government is planning to subsidise electronic bicycles for pensioners and commuters as part of plans to massively increase cycling through a £2billion anti-obesity drive.
The e-bikes are like regular bikes but have a small motor usually hidden in the frame to aid travel uphill or on longer journeys.
Ministers hope the programme will help those who are less fit or older to get back in the saddle.
They could be given up to a third off the £600 – £3,000 cost of a new machine to entice them to take more exercise or leave the car at home.
It comes as Mr Johnson prepared to unveil a £2billion campaign to get fat Britain ‘on its bike’.
Bicycles will be prescribed by doctors for patients and all Britons will be offered free training on how to ride.
Free repair vouchers worth £50 will be handed out and there will be a massive expansion of cycle lanes as part of a revolution unveiled today.
The e-bikes are like regular bikes but have a small motor usually hidden in the frame to aid travel uphill or on longer journeys
Boris Johnson is pictured riding a bicycle on the streets of London, Britain on 24 March, 2015
The subsidy for e-bikes comes on top of the Cycle To Work scheme which already gives money off purchases of cycles used to get to work, the Times reported.
Boris Johnson announced that GPs in obesity hotspots will be encouraged to prescribe cycling, with patients able to access bikes through their local surgery.
Thousands of miles of new protected bike lanes and free cycle training for any child or adult will be offered under the Government’s ‘biggest and boldest plans’ to boost active travel.
The creation of the UK’s first zero-emission transport city and a dozen ‘mini-Holland’ schemes – which prioritise cycling and walking – will also form part of the revolution.
Cyclists will be able to get £50 vouchers towards bike repairs from midnight tonight.
Last night cycling charities welcomed the plans, which they say will ‘radically improve the quality of walking and cycling infrastructure’ in the UK.
Ministers hope the new measures will get people active and reduce pollution in towns and cities in a double boost to health.
Unveiling the plans, Mr Johnson said it was time to ‘shift gears’ to boost active travel.
He stressed: ‘From helping people get fit and healthy – and lowering their risk of illness – to improving air quality and cutting congestion, cycling and walking have a huge role to play in tackling some of the biggest health and environmental challenges that we face.
E-bikes are already available in limited numbers in some UK cities from Lime E
‘But to build a healthier, more active nation, we need the right infrastructure, training and support in place to give people the confidence to travel on two wheels.
That’s why now is the time to shift gears and press ahead with our biggest and boldest plans yet to boost active travel – so that everyone can feel the transformative benefits of cycling.’
Today’s announcement comes a day after the Government launched its new obesity strategy to tackle the nation’s bulging waistlines.
Officials are looking to seize on the surge in popularity for cycling during lockdown, which saw an almost doubling of those getting on the saddle.
The scheme will see more bike racks at rail and bus stations to encourage more people to commute to work.
Other measures include strengthening the Highway Code, improving legal protection, increasing lorry safety standards and working with police and retailers to tackle bike thefts.
Shoppers cycle on Santander bikes on Oxford Street, London, as non-essential shops in England open their doors to customers for the first time since coronavirus lockdown restrictions were imposed in March
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes his dog Dilyn for a walk in the grounds of Chequers as he encourages people to exercise for a better health
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described it as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity to create a shift in attitudes’ to make cycling or walking part of daily routines.
He added: ‘The measures we’ve set out today in this revolutionary plan will do just that. No matter your age, how far you’re travelling or your current confidence on a bike, there are plans to help and support you.’
An initial 50,000 Fix Your Bike vouchers will be made available online shortly before midnight tonight on a first come, first served basis.
Those who obtain a voucher – at https://fixyourbikevoucherscheme.est.org.uk – will be able to save £50 on the cost of repairing a bike at participating shops.
The Government said the vouchers are being released in batches to help manage capacity and for the scheme to be monitored before being rolled out more widely.
Halfords has said it has thousands of slots available each day for customers to bring their bicycles into stores to identify potential faults which could be rectified under the scheme.
Chief executive Graham Stapleton said: ‘We think the Government’s Fix Your Bike voucher scheme will not only help individuals become more confident about keeping their bikes maintained, but will help speed up the cycling revolution.’
Official figures indicate there has been a surge in cycling during the pandemic, with bike usage nearly doubling.
Previous statistics showed that around six per cent of Britons over the age of 16 – 2.8million – ride a bike at least once a week.
Xavier Brice, of the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, said today’s announcement ‘marks a big step forward’. He added: ‘By helping more people to leave the car at home for shorter journeys, this package of measures will cut pollution, tackle the causes of poor health and improve the safety of our streets.’
It is unclear so far where the first zero-emission city will be.
Six of the best buys at Halfords to help you get on your (e) bike
Raleigh Felix Step-Through Electric Hybrid Bike, £1,799
- Range: Up to 60 miles
- Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus Mid Drive
- Weight: 24.5kg
This hybrid electric bike is intended for both commutes and leisurely rides, and comes with mudguards, a pannier rack and a kickstand. It has seven-speed Shimano gearing and comes in either a low step or crossbar frame.
Assist Hybrid Electric Bike, £599 (20′ Wheel)
- Range: Up to 20 miles
- Motor: Front Wheel Drive
- Weight: 18kg
This hybrid bike is billed as the ‘perfect commuting companion’ and has a 12 -point pick up, making the motor more sensitive to the pedals. It also has a walking mode to help riders push it up a path or if it is loaded with shopping.
Carrera Vengeance Electric Mountain Bike, £1,099 (16′, 18′, 20′ Frame)
- Range: Up to 40 miles
- Motor: Suntour Rear Wheel Drive
- Weight: 23kg
This men’s bike has a 317Wh battery giving a 40-mile range, while the Suntour Eco rear hub motor can provide speeds of up to 15.5mph. It has a lightweight alloy frame and Tektro Mechanical Disc Brakes with 180mm rotors.
Carrera Crosscity Folding Electric Bike, £999
- Range: Up to 30 miles
- Motor: Rear Wheel Drive
- Weight: 18kg
This folding bike’s 313Wh battery gives up to 30 miles of power on one charge, with the battery integrated into the bike. It also has a kick stand, mudguards and rear carrier, plus eight-speed Shimano Acera gears and V-brakes.
Pendleton Somerby Electric Bike, £999 (17′ and 19′ Frames)
- Range: Up to 50 miles
- Motor: Rear Wheel Drive
- Weight: 22kg
The 317Wh Samsung battery gives a range of 50 miles to this bike, which comes with a rear Bafang hub motor with speed sensor. It has eight-speed Shimano gears, built in mudguards and chainguard and Tektro alloy V-brakes.
Assist Step-Thru Hybrid Electric Bike, £649
- Range: Up to 20 miles
- Motor: Front Wheel Drive
- Weight: 23kg
This bike features a 209Wh battery, providing up to 20 miles of range from one five-hour charge. It is best for shorter leisurely rides or commutes, with a front electric motor. With speeds of up to 15.5mph, it also has a rear pannier rack.