Every kilometre cycled benefits society, new ITF report claims

The health benefits to society from cycling outweigh negative impacts by up to a factor of 20, according to the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) latest research report ‘Cycling, Health and Safety’. The report, published at a time when many cities are seeking to increase the share of cycling amidst concerns for safety, shows that the key to delivering overall benefits from cycling is creating a safe system through government policy and
February 19, 2014 Read time: 1 min
The health benefits to society from cycling outweigh negative impacts by up to a factor of 20, according to the 1102 International Transport Forum (ITF) at the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) latest research report ‘Cycling, Health and Safety’.

The report, published at a time when many cities are seeking to increase the share of cycling amidst concerns for safety, shows that the key to delivering overall benefits from cycling is creating a safe system through government policy and city action.

Among the recommendations for policy makers is the moderation of some urban road speeds to 30km/h or less, and the use of separated cycling infrastructure to increase the number of new cyclists. Attracting new cyclists gains the greatest health benefits through increased physical activity, including reducing risks linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity and Type-2 diabetes.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Building Georgia’s transport connections to its neighbours
    October 26, 2016
    Georgia’s government aspires to turn the country into a regional transport-transit hub, and with renovated and expanded transportation infrastructure it knows that the country can offer significant opportunities to others in the region, and globally – Gordon Feller writes The Caucasus Transit Corridor (CTC) is the key transit-route between Western Europe and Central Asia for oil and gas, as well as dry cargo. CTC is part of TRACECA (TRAnsport Corridor Europe to Central Asia). This is the shortest route
    Read More
  • India plans major infrastucture investment
    February 10, 2012
    India says it turned its Commonwealth Games into a world-class success, and now it aims to do the same with its infrastructure. Patrick Smith reports. On October, 2010 India put itself on the world stage, and disaster appeared to loom as a catalogue of problems dogged its biggest ever sporting event. Costing nearly US$2 billion to stage, the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever were, according to some, in doubt.
    Read More
  • VIDEO: Pasta-packing drivers should beware of lean-bean cyclists
    August 19, 2016
    Know your limits, especially if that inconsiderate cyclist has got you so enraged that you have jumped out of your car to chase him down the block. You want to teach him a lesson but, like the man in this video, you may end up learning one yourself. You’re too fat. Recognise the chances are slim that you - a car driver who, according to a new study, will be overweight – will catch that svelte bicycle rider. It could end in tragedy with you hitting face-first that urban-grade asphalt, feeling the aggre
    Read More
  • India plans major infrastucture investment
    April 5, 2012
    India says it turned its Commonwealth Games into a world-class success, and now it aims to do the same with its infrastructure. Patrick Smith reports On October, 2010 India put itself on the world stage, and disaster appeared to loom as a catalogue of problems dogged its biggest ever sporting event. Costing nearly US$2 billion to stage, the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever were, according to some, in doubt. After years of planning some projects were incomplete, there were health scares and a br
    Read More

Highlighted Content