Authorities in Boston, US, have unveiled a pioneering new programme whereby doctors can prescribe patients with membership to the city’s bike share scheme.

The “Prescribe-a-Bike” programme will enable doctors at Boston Medical Centre to offer yearlong memberships to Boston’s Hubway cycling cycling scheme to low-income patients for only US$5 (€3.60, £3) – an US$80 (€58, £46) discount on the usual price.

A statement from the Boston mayor’s office said patients would receive a free helmet as part of the scheme and would be permitted an unlimited number of trips on the bicycles, provided they use them for 30 minutes or less at a time.

“Obesity is a significant and growing health concern for our city, particularly among low-income Boston residents,” said chief executive of Boston Medical Centre Kate Walsh in the statement. “Regular exercise is key to combating this trend, and Prescribe-a-Bike is one important way our caregivers can help patients get the exercise they need to be healthy.”

In addition to promoting activity as a form of medical treatment – a cause long-championed by the health and fitness industry – the scheme also serves to promote green living and will help ease the burden on the city’s transport system, something London mayor Boris Johnson hopes to also achieve with his recently announced ‘Mini-Hollands’ cycling scheme.

Meanwhile, in Birmingham, UK, the city’s NHS-funded Be Active scheme offers free use of the city’s leisure facilities and parks for physical activity at certain times in the day. The programme harnesses the health benefits of physical activity to help lighten the load on local health services, with the scheme’s organisers claiming that every £1 spent on activity saves £21.30 for the public purse.