A £104 million investment will boost walking and cycling routes across England.
The funding will be delivered over four years to the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (WWCT), the charity responsible for developing and maintaining the National Cycle Network (NCN).
It will support improvements across the more than 12,000-mile network, including new traffic-free routes, resurfacing, safer crossings and repairs to bridges and tunnels.
Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, announced the news.
The Swindon South MP said: "If we’re serious, as I am, about increasing the use of public transport, and if we’re serious about giving people the tools to get around however they choose, then the days of active travel being an afterthought, or a bolt on, must end.
"This isn’t about telling people how to travel or unleashing a lycra army on our streets.
"It’s about unlocking millions of extra journeys by foot, wheel or cycle – journeys that connect us to jobs, to friends, to the things that matter most.
"And when the Prime Minister talks of getting Britain back on its feet, I see the sick days we avoid, the productivity we gain, and the burden we lift on the NHS – all by being more active."
The funding will also help remove barriers that restrict access for wheelchair users and improve lighting, signage and road markings, making routes safer for women and girls.
Sarah Roberts, chief executive of the WWCT, said: "The NCN is a critical part of the UK’s transport infrastructure, enabling people to walk, wheel and cycle with confidence.
"It connects us to places and people we care about and gives us space to enjoy our beautiful environment.
"Creating safe, accessible routes help people reach work, school, shops and green spaces, while making neighbourhoods healthier, more connected and more enjoyable places to live.
"Major investment is needed to deliver this vision and today’s announcement of multi-year funding is an important step forward."
Projects in development include upgrades to the English section of the Avenue Verte–the NCN route linking London and Paris–and new routes around the HS2 corridor.
Chris Boardman, active travel commissioner, said: "This record investment gives us the long-term certainty required to improve and expand the National Cycle Network, creating safer and better-connected routes that make it easier to choose walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys.
"It’s another important step towards building an active travel network that works for everyone."
The Department for Transport said every £1 invested in the NCN is estimated to return £4.10 in wider economic and social benefits.
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