05.08.11
Cycling saves lives and cuts carbon
Research shows cycling can save lives and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
The study, by researchers at the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona, investigated a city bike sharing scheme in the Spanish city which has been running since 2007.
Existing data from scientific studies and local travel information was integrated using a health impact model to estimate the number of deaths due to physical activity, road traffic incidents, and exposure to air pollution.
Comparing driving deaths with those associated with cyclists, 0.16 deaths were associated with cyclists due to air pollution and traffic accidents. However, 12.28 deaths were avoided by cyclists each year as a result of increased physical activity. The scheme, ‘Bicing’, was also found to reduce carbon emissions by nine million kg per year.
The researchers concluded: “Our work has shown that low-cost public bicycle sharing systems aimed at encouraging commuters to cycle are worth implementing in other cities, not only for the health benefits but also for potential co-benefits such as a reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gasses.”
They were keen "to encourage cities to change car use by cycling and stimulate the implementation of bike sharing systems in cities to improve the health of the population."
The results were published in an article on bmj.com today.
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