According to the new study, led by Colorado State University, up to 205,424 premature deaths could be prevented each year if countries support high levels of urban cycling. In the US, for example, it’s estimated that more than 15,000 premature deaths could be prevented each year by supporting urban cycling.

The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, modelled the benefits of promoting urban cycling up to 2050 and if 100 per cent of bike trips replace travelling by car.

The University’s Dr David Rojas-Rueda led the research project in collaboration with scientists from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.

The study compared current cycling trends with high levels of urban cycling among 17 countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, the UK, and the US.

The high cycling 2050 scenarios were based on policies that have been shown to result in a quick increase in biking levels. Potential policies include:

• retrofitting biking infrastructure onto existing roads to create networks on arterial streets, small residential streets, and intercity roads;
• implementation of bike-share systems in large cities;
• reforming laws and enforcement practices to better protect active transport;
• investment in walking facilities and public transport to offer trips that can be combined with bike trips;
• elimination of policies that support additional motorised vehicle use, such as free parking and fuel subsidies; and
• establishment of congestion pricing, travel fees, and development impact fees to charge a price for driving.

The research team used a quantitative health impact assessment methodology, which considered the physical activity benefits and the risks associated with traffic fatalities and inhalation of air pollution during the bike trip. They also focused on the adult population among the 17 countries and included the impact of both mechanical and electric bikes.

“This study should be seen as a call to implement policies that support sustainable mobility and a healthy urban design,” said Rojas-Rueda, senior author of the study. “Current policies will impact our future and the health of future generations.”