cycling will improve environment and health velo-city dublin, 2005 the ecological council and thomas...

Cycling will improve environment and health

Velo-city Dublin, 2005

The Ecological Council andThomas Krag Mobility Advice

Introduction

Report title:

Cycling, exercise, environment and health



2.5 million years 50 years

Background

Increasing concern about obesity and the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.



Approach taken• numerous reports on the health impact of physical inactivity studied

• special look taken on studies involving bicycle use

• further investigations made on linkages between cycling and physical activity

• knowledge about the impact of air pollution on cyclists' health collected

• overview made on the knowledge about traffic safety and cycling

• basic knowledge about infrastructure and cycling collected

• several reports and investigations about levers for bicycle use read

• existing cost-benefit analysis of cycling, physical activity and health examined

• a cost-benefit analysis of a potential Danish bicycle promotion scheme carried out

• European cities or regions where cycling has been prioritised investigated

• international targets for cycling studied

• present and perspective cycling promotion policies in Denmark studied



Physical inactivity and health• Physical inactivity results in an increased risk of getting several diseases

• Risk of the same diseases can be reduced by increasing the level of physical activity



Physical inactivity and health

Potential disease risk reduction by moderate exercise, in per cent

Disease/report Denmark, 2003

Norway, 2001

WHO, 2003

Switzerland, 2001

Used later

Hypertension 30 32 30

Cardiovascular disorders 40 50 33 46 40

Diabetes 2 >20 50 47 40

Osteoporosis 50 50 50

Breast cancer 50 20-3020-25

28 40

Colon cancer 50 50 47 40

Gallstone 34 -

Depression 68 -

Back pain 26 -



Cycling and physical activity

Danish population study (adjusted for several factors):28% less mortality rate among people cycling to work.

Other studies:Cycling makes you feel healthier.

(Odense, 2004) (Aarhus, 1996)



Cycling and physical activity



Cycling and air pollution

To conclude:

Air pollution is a problem, also for cyclists

– but it is no argument against cycling.



Safety and cycling

Is cycling dangerous?

Risk can be calculated in several ways:• injuries per km (big figure)• fatalities per km (smaller figure than for pedestrians)• fatalities per hour (figure comparable to car users)



Safety and cycling

Is cycling dangerous?

Risk:• injuries per km (big figure)• fatalities per km (smaller figure than for pedestrians)• fatalities per hour (figure comparable to car users)



Safety and cycling



Safety and cycling

(Netherlands)



Safety and cycling

(Copenhagen)



Cycling infrastructureCycle tracks are

• very popular, since they make bicycle users feel safe

• improving safety at high speed roads



Motives for bicycle use

Car ownership is a major demotivating factor.




Speed and exercise are the main reasons given for cycling to work




Distance (time)is the main reasons given for not cycling to work




Uneven roadsis felt to be the main inconve-nience for the bicycle users




Cycling performanceis underestimated by non-users




Campaigns do work- as for example a Danish bicycle to school campaign



Pricing health benefitsEmployment aspect

• The employer gains 3-400 Euro per year per physically active employee (North American asessments)

• Productivity is raised 2-52% if the employee is physically active (WHO)

Treatment costs, length and quality of life aspect

• Savings are 980 Euro per year per physically active (Norway, Saelensminde/TOI)

• Savings are 564 Euro per year per physically active (Switzerland, Brian Martin)

• Savings are 1,200 Euro per year per physically active (Finnish transport ministry cost-benefit guidelines)



Cost-benefit analysis

Cost-benefit analysis of a potential Danish promotion scheme

• 50% more cycling and 30% more walking

• target reached in 12 years

• annual investment 20 million Euro

• annual public health gain (after 12 years) 96 million Euro

• less public income on public transport and less tax revenue on cars

• overall present net value 3 billion Euro (50 year perspective)



Cost-benefit analysis



Cases from cities and regions

Country city/region population city density (people/km2)

keywords

Denmark Copenhagen 501,660 5,680 Many years systematic development, bicycle account, big cycle traffic increase, 34% bike to work.

Denmark Odense 184,300 1,820 Many experimental projects, intensive PR and marketing, support from traffic fund, engaged planners, evaluation of health effects.

Denmark Naestved 47,900 1,779 Big project with cycle and pedestrian bridge and roofed cycle parking, bicycle action plan, systematic development, support from traffic fund, fiery soul.

Norway Trondheim 150,400 2,380 Big-scale extension, big part-financing from road tolls and state, big increase in cycling, engaged planners.

Norway Sandnes 57,157 3,044 Traditionally "Norway's cycle city no. 1", thorough development, broad back-up and satisfaction, but no cycle traffic increase.

Norway Kristiansand 75,280 2,109 Long term development, engagement in the administration, co-financing from the state, some cycle traffic increase, realistic targets.

Sweden Stockholm 761,721 4,057 New cycle tracks and cycle lanes in the city centre, political demand with lots of controversies and debate, big cycle traffic increase.

Scotland Glasgow 650,000 3,300 Single, health oriented project, decisive single individuals, health used as main argument in a quite cycle hostile environment.

Belgium Flanders 5.7 mill. Regional project with till now unseen financing opportunities, common guidelines for municipal cycle planning, mobility covenants with municipalities and provinces.



Cases from cities and regions

Health is of increasing importance. Persons (fiery souls) and long term planning are usually found.



International cycling targets• National cycling strategies are found in several countries

• Cycling strategies usually include targets for increased cycling

• Cycling targets are usually not met

• Resources are often lacking

• WHO can – with the 1999 London Charter on Transport, Environment and Health as the starting point – be regarded as working on an international cycling strategy.



Danish cycle promotion

• Bicycling is seen as a normal activity

• 12% of the 70,000 km road network is furnished with cycle tracks

• Special funds for cycling infrastructure and cycling projects have been set aside nationally since the 1980s

• No state funding, though, has been provided since 2001





cycling will improve environment and health velo-city dublin, 2005 the ecological council and thomas...

Documents

ecological council

health velocity dublin

car users velocity dublin

physical activity knowledge

cyclists health

big figure fatalities

smaller figure

diseases risk