The future health of children who cycle is becoming more important.
According to statistics seen by the BBC, many of our councils with the lowest rates of cycleways and pavements for pedestrians are also the ones with declining Bikeability participation.
But these are also areas – Sandwell, Wolverhampton, and Walsall – where the majority of children are predicted to be obese by 2035, according to the Royal Society for Public Health.
Now the Bikeability Trust is working with councils to try and turn things around in the region and the government has said it will put more than £600m into new active travel plans across England.
This is on top of an earlier funding boost of £30m in funding in the region.
According to the trust, reversing this decline will lead to more independent, healthier and safer children out and about on their bikes.