Bicycle messengers: energy expenditure and exposure to air pollution

Bernmark, Eva; Wiktorin, Christina; Svartengren, Magnus; Lewné, Marie; Åberg, Samuel

doi:10.1080/00140130600708206

Cited by 37 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The estimated coefficients in Table 3 are in line with the literature, which suggests central values of 0.016-0.023 for bicyclist lṅ~ slope coefficients , heterogeneous to individuals (1,18,20,21). Mermier et al (8) report slopes ranging from 0.016 to 0.029 for 15 healthy men who performed maximum exercise tests on ergometers.…”

Section: Ventilation and Heart Ratesupporting

confidence: 77%

Dynamic Ventilation and Power Output of Urban Bicyclists

Bigazzi

Figliozzi

2015

Transportation Research Record

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Bicyclist intake of air pollutants is linked to physical exertion levels, ventilation rates, and exposure concentrations. Whereas exposure concentrations have been widely studied in transportation environments, there is relatively scant research linking on-road ventilation with travel conditions and exertion levels. This paper investigates relationships among power output, heart rate, and ventilation rate for urban bicyclists. Heart rate and ventilation rate were measured on-road and combined with power output estimates from a bicycle power model. Dynamic ventilation rates increased by 0.4-0.8% per watt of power output, with a mean lag of 0.8 minutes. The use of physiology (ventilation) monitoring straps and heart rate proxies for dynamic on-road ventilation measurements are discussed. This paper provides for a clearer and more quantitative understanding of bicyclists' ventilation and power output, which is useful for studies of pollutant inhalation risks, energy expenditure, and physical activity.

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Section: Ventilation and Heart Ratesupporting

confidence: 77%

Dynamic Ventilation and Power Output of Urban Bicyclists

Bigazzi

Figliozzi

2015

Transportation Research Record

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“…Minute ventilation has been reported as 22-59 L/min for bicyclists: two to five times higher than for travelers in automobiles or at rest. Bernmark et al (2006) found V E peaks for bicycle messengers of up to 97 L/min. The ranges of minute ventilations in Table 2 are related to the different average travel speeds and heart rates among the studies (included in Table 2), as well as potentially other experimental differences such as terrain, bicycle weight and condition, weather, and subject fitness.…”

Section: Respirationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Methodologies are categorized as 'on-road' (direct on-road measurement of respiration using masks), 'lab' (laboratory ergometer-based respiration measurements), and 'estimated' (on-road measurement of heart rate and estimation of respiration using laboratory ergometer-based heart rate/ventilation relationships). MET of energy expenditure, with power output of roughly 50-150 W, depending on the speed (Bernmark et al, 2006;De Geus, de Smet, Nijs, & Meeusen, 2007;Whitt, 1971). MET values have been employed to estimate bicyclists' respiration for pollution dose assessments using both reference MET values and MET values estimated from accelerometer measurements; average accelerometerbased MET for bicycling was estimated at 6.58 with a corresponding ventilation rate of 41 L/min (De Nazelle et al, 2012).…”

Section: Respirationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Urban Bicyclists' Intake and Uptake of Traffic-Related Air Pollution

2014

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Bicycling as a mode of transportation is enjoying a boost in many urban areas around the world. Although there are clear health benefits of increased physical activity while bicycling, bicyclists may experience increased inhalation of traffic-related air pollutants. Bicyclists have two to five times higher respiration rates than travelers in motorized vehicles and this difference increases with bicycle travel speed and exertion level. The main goal of this work is to review the state of knowledge regarding urban bicyclists' intake and uptake of traffic-related air pollution and to identify key knowledge gaps. This review includes not only bicyclists' exposure to air pollution concentrations but also respiration rates, intake doses (the amount of pollutant that is inhaled), and uptake doses (the amount of pollutant that is incorporated into the body). Research gaps and opportunities for future research are discussed. This is the first review to specifically address bicyclists' health risks from traffic-related air pollution and to explicitly include intake and uptake doses in addition to exposure concentrations for travelers.

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“…A number of studies have looked at how cycling affects exposure to air pollution (Bernmark, Wiktorin, Svartengren, Lewné, & Å berg, 2006;Briggs, de Hoogh, Morris, & Gulliver, 2008;Chertok, Voukelatos, Sheppeard, & Rissel, 2004;de Nazelle et al, 2012;Gulliver & Briggs, 2004;Int Panis et al, 2010;Rank, Folke, & Homann Jespersen, 2001;Zuurbier et al, 2010). These studies estimate exposure to PM 2.5 while cycling to be about double the background pollution, and about 20% lower than while driving, although local circumstances are influential and ratios can vary considerably for different pollutants (Karanasiou et al, 2014).…”

Section: Exposure To Air Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cycling as a Part of Daily Life: A Review of Health Perspectives

2015

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Health aspects of day-to-day cycling have gained attention from the health sector aiming to increase levels of physical activity, and from the transport and planning sector, to justify investments in cycling. We review and discuss the main pathways between cycling and health under two perspectives -generalizable epidemiological evidence for health effects and specific impact modeling to quantify health impacts in concrete settings. Substantial benefits from physical activity dominate the public health impacts of cycling. Epidemiological evidence is strong and impact modeling is well advanced. Injuries amount to a smaller impact on the population level, but affect crash victims disproportionately and perceived risks deter potential cyclists. Basic data on crash risks are available, but evidence on determinants of risks is limited and impact models are highly dependent on local factors. Risks from air pollution can be assumed to be small, with limited evidence for cycling-specific mechanisms. Based on a large body of evidence, planners, health professionals, and decision-makers can rest assured that benefits from cycling-related physical activity are worth pursuing. Safety improvements should be part of the efforts to promote cycling, both to minimize negative impacts and to lower barriers to cycling for potential riders.

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Bicycle messengers: energy expenditure and exposure to air pollution

Cited by 37 publications

References 12 publications

Dynamic Ventilation and Power Output of Urban Bicyclists

Dynamic Ventilation and Power Output of Urban Bicyclists

Review of Urban Bicyclists' Intake and Uptake of Traffic-Related Air Pollution

Cycling as a Part of Daily Life: A Review of Health Perspectives

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