Cycling will improve environment and health Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Introduction Report title: Cycling, exercise, environment and health Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Background Increasing concern about obesity and the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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 Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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 Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Physical inactivity and health Potential disease risk reduction by moderate exercise, in per cent Disease/reportDenmark, 2003 Norway, 2001 WHO, 2003 Switzerland, 2001 Used later Hypertension Cardiovascular disorders Diabetes 2 > Osteoporosis 50 Breast cancer Colon cancer Gallstone 34- Depression 68- Back pain 26- Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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) Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Cycling and physical activity Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Cycling and air pollution To conclude: Air pollution is a problem, also for cyclists – but it is no argument against cycling. Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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) Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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) Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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) Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Safety and cycling Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Safety and cycling (Netherlands) Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Safety and cycling (Copenhagen) Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Cycling infrastructure Cycle tracks are very popular, since they make bicycle users feel safe improving safety at high speed roads Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Motives for bicycle use Car ownership is a major demotivating factor. Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Motives for bicycle use Speed and exercise are the main reasons given for cycling to work Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Motives for bicycle use Distance (time) is the main reasons given for not cycling to work Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Motives for bicycle use Uneven roads is felt to be the main inconve- nience for the bicycle users Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Motives for bicycle use Cycling performance is underestimated by non-users Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Motives for bicycle use Campaigns do work - as for example a Danish bicycle to school campaign Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Pricing health benefits Employment aspect The employer gains 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) Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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) Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Cost-benefit analysis Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Cases from cities and regions Countrycity/regionpopulationcity density (people/km 2 ) keywords DenmarkCopenhagen501,6605,680 Many years systematic development, bicycle account, big cycle traffic increase, 34% bike to work. DenmarkOdense184,3001,820 Many experimental projects, intensive PR and marketing, support from traffic fund, engaged planners, evaluation of health effects. DenmarkNaestved47,9001,779 Big project with cycle and pedestrian bridge and roofed cycle parking, bicycle action plan, systematic development, support from traffic fund, fiery soul. NorwayTrondheim150,4002,380 Big-scale extension, big part-financing from road tolls and state, big increase in cycling, engaged planners. NorwaySandnes57,1573,044 Traditionally "Norway's cycle city no. 1", thorough development, broad back-up and satisfaction, but no cycle traffic increase. NorwayKristiansand75,2802,109 Long term development, engagement in the administration, co- financing from the state, some cycle traffic increase, realistic targets. SwedenStockholm761,7214,057 New cycle tracks and cycle lanes in the city centre, political demand with lots of controversies and debate, big cycle traffic increase. ScotlandGlasgow650,0003,300 Single, health oriented project, decisive single individuals, health used as main argument in a quite cycle hostile environment. BelgiumFlanders5.7 mill. Regional project with till now unseen financing opportunities, common guidelines for municipal cycle planning, mobility covenants with municipalities and provinces. Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

Cases from cities and regions Health is of increasing importance. Persons (fiery souls) and long term planning are usually found. Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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. Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

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 Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice Velo-city Dublin, 2005 The Ecological Council and Thomas Krag Mobility Advice