Cumbria is one of 11 areas in England that will see GPs offer walking and cycling on prescription to help get people active.
The funding will go towards several pilot projects in each location, including adult cycle training, free bike loans and walking groups.
Other schemes include all-ability cycling taster days where people who may not have cycled before can try to in a friendly environment, or walking and cycling mental health groups where people can connect with their communities as they get active.
The pilots must be delivered alongside improved infrastructure so people feel safe to cycle and walk, the Government said.
It said the pilots aimed to evaluate the impact of cycling and walking on people’s health, such as reduced GP appointments and reliance on medication due to more physical activity.
For the first time, transport, active travel and health officials will work together towards a whole systems approach to health improvement and tackling health disparities, it added.
Walking and Cycling Minister Trudy Harrison, who is also MP for Copeland, said: “Walking and cycling has so many benefits – from improving air quality in our communities to reducing congestion on our busiest streets.
“It also has an enormous positive impact on physical and mental health, which is why we have funded these projects which will get people across the country moving and ease the burden on our NHS.”
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, added: “As a nation we need healthier, cheaper and more pleasant ways to get around for everyday trips. Active Travel England’s mission is to ensure millions of people nationwide can do just that – so it’s easier to leave the car at home and to enjoy the benefits that come with it.
“Moving more will lead to a healthier nation, a reduced burden on the NHS, less cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as huge cost savings. This trial aims to build on existing evidence to show how bringing transport, active travel and health together can make a positive impact on communities across England.”
The pilots will be delivered between 2022 and 2025 with ongoing monitoring and evaluation to support continued learning, the Government added.
The project brings together a range of government departments and agencies including NHS England, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Sport England, National Academy for Social Prescribing, DEFRA and the Department for Health and Social Care.
