Dr John Pucher’s latest paper is quite brilliant:
Infrastructure, Programs and Policies to Increase Bicycling: An International Review.
Co-authored by Jennifer Dill of Portland State University and Susan Handy of UC Davis, it highlights the efforts and results of a number of international locations who are working towards increasing cycling as transport.I've blogged previously about a seminar with John Pucher from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver right here. It's a lengthy videocast, but well worth it.
The newest paper is impressive for it's amazing amount of scientific references. Truly a thorough work, as well an an inspirational one. It's available for download from Pucher's Rutger website, under publications.
This is from the introdution: "Bicycling is healthy. That is the conclusion of an increasing number of scientific studies assessing the impacts of bicycling on levels of physical activity, obesity rates, cardiovascular health and morbidity."The combined evidence presented in these studies indicates that the health benefits of bicycling far exceed the health risks from traffic injuries, contradicting the widespread misperception that bicycling is a dangerous activity. Moreover, as bicycling levels increase, injury rates fall, making bicycling safer and providing even larger net health benefits.
"Perhaps due to the increasing evidence of the health benefits of bicycling, many government agencies and public health organizations have explicitly advocated more bicycling as a way to improve individual health as well as reduce air pollution, carbon emissions, noise, traffic dangers, and other harmful impacts of car use.[...]"Countries and cities with high levels of bicycling and good safety rates tend to have extensive infrastructure, as well as pro-bicycle policies and progams, while those with low bicycling rates and poor safety records generally have done much less."
Just our cup of tea. Well worth a read.There are also some stat boxes near the end in the reference area that highlight the increasing mobility in cities choosing to embrace bicycle culture. It's not really a newsflash, but increased bicycle infrastructure reduces injury, as well as all the health and societal benefits. So let's build those cycle tracks.Berlin
Total number of bicycle trips almost quadrupled from 1975-2001 (275% increase).Bicycle share increased from 5% of trips in 1990 to 10% in 2007.38% decline in serious injuries 1992-2006.
Paris
Increase in bicycle share of trips within City of Paris from 1% to 2.5% in 2007.46% increase in bicycle trips from June to October 2007 after introduction of Vélib bicycle sharing program.Amsterdam
Bicycle share increased from 25% of trips in 1970 to 37% in 2005.40% decline in serious injuries, 1985-2005.
Copenhagen
Bicycle share increased from 25% of trips in 1998 to 38% in 2005 for 40+ age group.70% increase in total bicycle trips 1970-2006 (36% of work trips in 2006).60% decline in serious injuries 1995-2006.
Muenster, GermanyBicycle share increased from 29% of trips in 1982 to 35% in 2001.
One serious injury per 1.03 million bicycle trips in 2001.
Freiburg, Germany
Bicycle share increased from 15% of trips in 1982 to 27% in 2007.204% growth in bicycle trips 1976-2007.One serious injury per 896,000 bicycle trips in 2006.
Odense, DenmarkBicycle share increased from 23% of trips in 1994 to 25% in 2002.80% increase in bicycle trips 1984-2002.
29% decline in injuries 1999-2004.
Groningen, Netherlands
Stable 40% bicycle share of trips since 1990.50% decline in serious injuries 1997-2005.
London, UK
Doubling in total number of bicycle trips from 2000 to 2008 (+99%).Average annual growth of 17% between 2003 and 2006, after implementation of congestion charging.75% increase in bicycle trips to school 2000-2008.Bicyle share of all trips rose from 1.2% in 2003 to 1.6% in 2006, an increase of 43%.12% reduction in serious bicycling injuries from 2000 to 2008.
