<p> The British government promised Monday to build thousands of miles of new bike lanes to get people moving and healthy after months of coronavirus lockdown.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Boris Johnson's pledge comes on the heels of a plan to force restaurants to display calories on menus as part of a broader effort to win the battle of the bulge.</p>.<p>Government data show two-thirds of UK adults are above a healthy weight. Some studies suggest that the virus is especially deadly to people who are obese.</p>.<p>"To build a healthier, more active nation, we need the right infrastructure, training and support in place to give people the confidence to travel on two wheels," Johnson said.</p>.<p>"That's why now is the time to shift gears and press ahead with our biggest and boldest plans yet to boost active travel -- so that everyone can feel the transformative benefits of cycling."</p>.<p>Johnson introduced a bike-sharing programme in London during his spell as the British capital's mayor from 2008 to 2016.</p>.<p>But the so-called "Boris bikes" stood largely untouched during a months-long lockdown that still sees swathes of central London stand empty during working hours.</p>.<p>The government's efforts to tease people out of lockdown and into their old spending habits that can give shops and restaurants a boost are complicated by Britain's inability to safely reopen its schools.</p>.<p>Polls show people are also worried about using public transport. Many trains and buses are running half-empty during morning and evening commutes.</p>.<p>Johnson's plan envisions more Briton's biking and walking to work in the long term.</p>.<p>It promises to build "thousands of miles of protected cycle routes in towns and cities" as part of a £2 billion ($2.6 billion, 2.2 billion euro) "cycling and walking revolution".</p>.<p>The government has also promised to start releasing the first batch of £50 "bike repair vouchers" to help people get old cycles fixed.</p>.<p>Britain's official virus death toll of 45,759 is the highest in Europe.</p>
<p> The British government promised Monday to build thousands of miles of new bike lanes to get people moving and healthy after months of coronavirus lockdown.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Boris Johnson's pledge comes on the heels of a plan to force restaurants to display calories on menus as part of a broader effort to win the battle of the bulge.</p>.<p>Government data show two-thirds of UK adults are above a healthy weight. Some studies suggest that the virus is especially deadly to people who are obese.</p>.<p>"To build a healthier, more active nation, we need the right infrastructure, training and support in place to give people the confidence to travel on two wheels," Johnson said.</p>.<p>"That's why now is the time to shift gears and press ahead with our biggest and boldest plans yet to boost active travel -- so that everyone can feel the transformative benefits of cycling."</p>.<p>Johnson introduced a bike-sharing programme in London during his spell as the British capital's mayor from 2008 to 2016.</p>.<p>But the so-called "Boris bikes" stood largely untouched during a months-long lockdown that still sees swathes of central London stand empty during working hours.</p>.<p>The government's efforts to tease people out of lockdown and into their old spending habits that can give shops and restaurants a boost are complicated by Britain's inability to safely reopen its schools.</p>.<p>Polls show people are also worried about using public transport. Many trains and buses are running half-empty during morning and evening commutes.</p>.<p>Johnson's plan envisions more Briton's biking and walking to work in the long term.</p>.<p>It promises to build "thousands of miles of protected cycle routes in towns and cities" as part of a £2 billion ($2.6 billion, 2.2 billion euro) "cycling and walking revolution".</p>.<p>The government has also promised to start releasing the first batch of £50 "bike repair vouchers" to help people get old cycles fixed.</p>.<p>Britain's official virus death toll of 45,759 is the highest in Europe.</p>