The Health Benefits of Cycling

Image via WikipediaThe health risks and benefits of cycling in urban environments compared with car use: health impact assessment study ( 8 page pdf, David Rojas-Rueda, Audrey de Nazelle, Marko Tainio, Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen, British Medical Journal (BMJ), Aug. 4, 2011)

Today’s focus is on a biking initiative in Barcelona which attracted 11% of the population and the impact the shift to bikes from cars had on health as well as the reductions in carbon dioxide. Results indicate a modest benefit (4% less used cars). The analysis of pro and con factors that affect cyclist’s health is worth reviewing- such as the high correlation with the duration of the bike trip and the number of days spent cycling.



Key Quotes:

“Bicycle sharing schemes have become increasingly popular in countries throughout Europe, Asia, and America to encourage cycling as an alternative means of transport in urban areas.. The general impetus for these policies is more often the reduction of traffic congestion than the promotion of health”

“We focused on the three domains of exposure to air pollution, physical activity, and road traffic incidents. We also estimated the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions”

“The estimated relative risk for all cause mortality associated with physical activity among the residents of Barcelona who travelled by bicycle .. compared with by car was 0.80..An estimated 12.46 deaths were avoided each year”

“The annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions resulting from implementation of the Bicing initiative in Barcelona was estimated to be 9062 metric tones.. represented 0.9% of emissions from all types of motor vehicles in Barcelona in 2009”

“Based on the small 4% reduction in car journeys in Barcelona according to our calculations on shift in travel mode, it is unlikely that savings on emissions would be sufficient to have a meaningful effect on population exposures and their health implications”

“Bicing so far has increased the number of cycling trips by 30%. Eleven per cent of the population in Barcelona subscribes to Bicing, although based on our estimates only 1.7% of the population are regular users”

Related articles

• City Cycle Schemes Save Lives, Cut CO2 (nlm.nih.gov)
• The health benefits of boris bikes (2020health.wordpress.com)
• Bike hire schemes may save lives, researchers say | Frederika Whitehead (guardian.co.uk)
• The health risks and benefits of cycling in urban environments compared with car use: health impact assessment study (jflahiff.wordpress.com)
• Bike Sharing Could Save Lives: Study (huffingtonpost.com)
• Bike-share programs save lives (sfgate.com)
• Study: Bike sharing program saves lives (boston.com)
• Cycling group calls for safety legislation (cbc.ca)