8 Glossary

Dr Bike

Generally, Dr Bike sessions are basic safety and maintenance checks provided free to the cyclist. They cover topics such as brakes, steering, mechanical integrity and the overall condition of the bicycle. Minor adjustments are carried out free of charge. Sessions may also include security marking, visibility and cycling tips. They may be provided by local authorities, cycling groups or employers.


Handcycles are two or three-wheeled bikes powered by the arms rather than the legs. They come in a variety of styles which make them suitable for many people with disabilities.

Local enterprise partnerships

Local enterprise partnerships are led by local authorities and businesses. They provide the vision, knowledge and strategic leadership needed to drive sustainable private sector growth and job creation in their area.


Transport mode refers to the form of transport used (such as by car, lorry, bicycle, public transport or on foot).

Moderate-intensity physical activity

Moderate-intensity physical activity requires a degree of effort and noticeably increases the heart rate. Examples include brisk walking, cycling and gardening.

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity requires a large amount of effort, causes rapid breathing and a substantial increase in heart rate. Examples include running and climbing briskly up a hill.

Personalised travel planning

Personalised travel planning aims to encourage people to change their travel habits by providing them with detailed information on possible alternatives. People running these schemes provide individuals (usually across a specified geographical area) with information on, and encouragement to use, alternatives to a car for the trips they make.

Portfolio holder

A portfolio holder is a local authority member with a specific responsibility delegated by the leader of the local authority.

Quality-adjusted life year (QALY)

A quality-adjusted life year (QALY) is a measure used in health economics to assess the cost effectiveness of an intervention. It is defined as a measure of the state of health of a person or group in which the benefits, in terms of length of life, are adjusted to reflect the quality of life. One QALY is equal to 1 year of life in perfect health.

Recommended level of physical activity

The Chief Medical Officers for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (2011) report sets out target levels of physical activity for different groups. For adults, the recommendation is that 'over a week, activity should add up to at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) of moderate-intensity activity, in bouts of 10 minutes or more (one way to approach this is to do 30 minutes on at least 5 days a week)'.

For children, the recommendation is that 'all children and young people should engage in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day'.

Virtual cycle races

These are competitions where participants log the number of miles they have cycled on their own or as part of a team. The aim is to cycle a predetermined number of miles over a certain time. A target could be, for example, to cycle the number of miles it would take to travel from Lands End to John O'Groats.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)