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The Government should increase investment in walking and cycling, the charity behind the National Cycle Network has said.
Travel charity Sustrans estimates the network of cycling routes, which stretches 14,000 miles linking towns and villages across the UK, has saved the economy more than £7 billion in the last 20 years - around £1 million per day.
It says £6 billion of the savings has come from improving health and inactivity and reducing the strain on the NHS.
The charity claims the cycle network has helped cut greenhouse gas emissions, saving £11,766,920, and reduce traffic congestion, saving £133,106,239.
Malcolm Shepherd, Sustrans chief executive, said: "We have demonstrated beyond doubt that many more people walking and cycling is good for our health, and it's smarter for our economy."
"To make walking and cycling local journeys an option for everyone we need the new Government to provide funding for cycling and walking to be equivalent of 5% of the transport budget, and a Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy that contains a long-term vision and targets, in the same way that already exists for our roads and railways.
"This relatively small investment has the potential to have huge benefits for us all."
Sustrans estimates that almost 30 million car trips are replaced annually by people using the National Cycle Network. Last year, 4.9 million people made 764 million trips by bike and foot on the routes.
In 2013/14, 47% of people walked and 3% cycled at least five times a week, according to Department for Transport statistics.
