The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said people
should shun their cars ifa trip could be done in 15 or 20 minutes on
foot or bike.
It said the approach was needed to combat the "silent epidemic" of
inactivity posing a risk to the health of people in England.
The advisory body called on councils to do more to make walking and
cycling an easier option in local communities.
It said their new responsibility for publichealth, which the NHS will
hand over next year under the government's reform programme, offered
a"unique opportunity" to make a difference.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) said
councils should look to introduce bicycle-hire schemes, car-free
events and better cycle-route signalling and maps.
It's not necessarily about spending moremoney on transport, but
investing existingmoney in our health by rethinking the way in which
budgets are being spent
Dr John Middleton, Faculty of Public Health
Walking routes should also be better highlighted, with signposts
indicating thedistance and time it takes to walk to local
destinations.
Schools and workplacesshould also be encouraged to get more pupils and
staff cycling and walking.
NICE has previously given its backing to 20mph speed limits in certain areas.
'Costing lives'
The group said local authorities needed to take action, as the levels
of inactivity were costing lives.
A recent report in the Lancet said inactivity was now causing as many
deaths as smoking.
Latest figures suggest six in 10 men and sevenin 10 women are not
doing the recommended levels of physical activity.
The figures are little better for children.
In particular, levels of cycling and walking arefalling - with England
lagging well behind other European countries, such as the Netherlands
and Denmark. Only 11 minutes a day on average is spent cyclingor
walking.
Prof Mike Kelly, from NICE, said: "As a nation, we are not physically
active enough and this can contribute to a wide range of health
problems."
Dr John Middleton, vice-president of the Faculty of Public Health,
said cycling and walking needed to be made an "easy option".
"It's not necessarily about spending more money on transport, but
investing existing money in our health by rethinking the way in which
budgets are being spent."
Local transport ministerNorman Baker added the new duty on councils
should make it easier to ensure transport, planning andhealth
officials worked together to help change the way people travel.
"We want to see more people walking and cycling," he added.
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