Posted: 16 February, 2026
Wheels for All is showing our support to British Cycling’s latest phase of the Places to Ride campaign, which is calling for further government investment in local cycling facilities ahead of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départs in 2027.
Launched in 2019, Places to Ride is the largest ever investment in community cycling facilities and has already demonstrated the role that accessible infrastructure can play in improving health & wellbeing and social inclusion. New research published by British Cycling shows the programme has delivered over £100 million in social value nationally, helped more than half a million people become active, and generated an estimated £13.1 million in savings to the NHS through the prevention of long-term health conditions.
Many Wheels for All hubs and partners directly benefit from Places to Ride supported sites, including our hubs in Doncaster and Colchester, where the impact on participants health is already significant.
At the Doncaster Hub, Places to Ride investment has delivered a total social value of £695,000 to date. This includes £605,000 in individual wellbeing benefits and £99,000 linked specifically to physical and mental health outcomes, with an average social value of £194 per person.
Similarly, the Colchester Hub has generated a total social value of £319,000, including £278,000 in individual wellbeing benefits and £40,000 linked to physical and mental health. The average social value per participant stands at £216. Interestingly, at both Hubs the highest combined health impact reported relates to Type II diabetes, highlighting the importance of accessible physical activity in supporting long-term health management.
These local outcomes sit alongside wider national findings that show Places to Ride projects are successfully reaching underserved groups. Across the programme, 41% of projects engage disabled people or those with long-term health conditions, 83% focus on children and young people, 41% target women and girls, and 35% support people from low-income backgrounds - closely aligning with Wheels for All’s mission to remove barriers to activity.
Joe McTague, Chief Operating Officer at Wheels for All says “The Places to Ride programme clearly demonstrates the power of accessible cycling infrastructure. At Wheels for All, we see first-hand how inclusive facilities enable disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to become more active, improve their wellbeing and feel connected to their communities.
The social value being generated at hubs such as Doncaster and Colchester is not just a statistic – it represents improved health outcomes and reduced pressure on our health services. As we look ahead to the Tour de France Grand Départs in 2027, this is a crucial opportunity for government to build a lasting legacy by investing in inclusive, community-focused cycling facilities that leave no one behind.”
British Cycling, together with Scottish Cycling and Beicio Cymru, is now calling for £30 million of further government investment to deliver over 250 new or upgraded community cycling facilities across the England, Scotland and Wales. This next phase would build on a proven model, unlocking additional match funding from local authorities, charities and community partners, whilst also ensuring that the legacy of major cycling events delivers long-term benefits for communities.
For Wheels for All, continued investment in inclusive local cycling facilities is essential. When accessibility and inclusion are prioritised from the outset, these spaces become places where disabled people and their families can improve their health, build confidence and feel part of an active community.
