Do the Health Benefits of Cycling Outweigh the Risks?

Hartog, Jeroen J. de; Boogaard, Hanna; Nijland, Hans; Hoek, Gerard

doi:10.1097/01.ede.0000391897.18320.1d

Cited by 65 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…However, the general public, especially pedestrian and cyclist commuters, are increasingly concerned about the adverse health effects of urban air pollution and, hence, wish to minimize their exposure to airborne pollutants [37]. Up to today, the lack of spatial resolved pollution data hinders route planners to provide such air pollution related services.…”

Section: Application Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Deriving high-resolution urban air pollution maps using mobile sensor nodes

Hasenfratz

Saukh

Walser

et al. 2015

Pervasive and Mobile Computing

241

160

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Section: Application Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Deriving high-resolution urban air pollution maps using mobile sensor nodes

Hasenfratz

Saukh

Walser

et al. 2015

Pervasive and Mobile Computing

241

160

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…In urban environments, people are often exposed to TRAP during periods of physical exertion through activities such as cycling, walking, or running which often take place in close proximity to vehicle emissions. While exposures such as these during physical activity in urban environments have been associated with acute changes in heart rate variability in healthy adults (4,5), health impact assessments generally suggest that the health benefits of physical activity outweigh the risks associated with exposure to TRAP (6,7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of traffic-related air pollution on acute changes in cardiac autonomic modulation during rest and physical activity: a cross-over study

Cole‐Hunter

Weichenthal

Kubesch

et al. 2015

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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People are often exposed to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) during physical activity but it is not clear if physical activity modifies the impact of TRAP on cardiac autonomic modulation. We conducted a panel study among 28 healthy adults in Barcelona, Spain to examine how physical activity may modify the impact of TRAP on cardiac autonomic regulation. Participants completed four two-hour exposure scenarios that included either rest or intermittent exercise in high and low-traffic environments. Time-and frequencydomain measures of heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored during each exposure period along with continuous measures of TRAP. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the impact of TRAP on HRV as well as potential effect modification by physical activity. Exposure to TRAP was associated with consistent decreases in HRV; however, exposure-response relationships were not always linear over the broad range of exposures. For example, each 10 µg/m 3 increase in black carbon was associated with a 23% (95% CI: -31, -13) decrease in high frequency power at the low-traffic site whereas no association was observed at the high-traffic site. Physical activity modified the impact of TRAP on HRV at the high-traffic site and tended to weaken inverse associations with measures reflecting parasympathetic modulation (p≤0.001). Evidence of effect modification at the low-traffic site was less consistent. The strength and direction of the relationship between TRAP and HRV may vary across exposure gradients. Physical activity may modify the impact of TRAP on HRV, particularly at higher concentrations.3

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“…A large and growing body of evidence indicates that regular commuter cycling is beneficial to the health of individuals and populations (Woodcock et al, 2011, Bassett et al, 2008, de Hartog et al, 2010, Huy et al, 2008, Pucher et al, 2010a, Saunders, 2013, Shephard, 2008. Cycling for active transportation is associated with significantly reduced rates of obesity (Gordon-Larsen et al, 2009), type 2 diabetes, hypertension (Furie and Desai, 2012) and perhaps all-cause mortality (de Hartog et al, 2010, Sahlqvist et al, 2013.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cycling for active transportation is associated with significantly reduced rates of obesity (Gordon-Larsen et al, 2009), type 2 diabetes, hypertension (Furie and Desai, 2012) and perhaps all-cause mortality (de Hartog et al, 2010, Sahlqvist et al, 2013. Furthermore, the physical activity benefits of regular cycling appear at a population level to outweigh potential risks such as road traffic injury and exposure to air pollution (Rojas-Rueda, 2011, de Hartog et al, 2010, Woodcock J., 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The link between socioeconomic position, access to cycling infrastructure and cycling participation rates: An ecological study in Melbourne, Australia

Pistoll

Goodman

2014

Journal of Transport & Health

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Objective: Promoting cycling has moved up the policy agenda in recent years, but debate still exists surrounding the role played by socioeconomic barriers to participation in low cycling countries. This ecological study aimed to examine whether there are systematic socioeconomic disparities in access to cycling infrastructure and investment in Melbourne, Australia. Methods:We used Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to measure the density of on-road, off-road and informal cycling routes in 58 neighbourhoods of inner Melbourne. We examined whether small-area socioeconomic indicators were associated with the density of these three types of cycling infrastructure or with local government spending on cycling. We additionally examined how small-area socio-economic position and infrastructure density were associated with the prevalence of cycling to work in the 2011 census. Results:The density of on-and off-road cycling infrastructure was positively associated with cycle modal share (both p<0.0001), and there was no evidence that the strength of this association differed between the two infrastructure types. The density of informal routes was not associated with cycling to work. There was no evidence that small-area socioeconomic position was systematically associated with the presence of on-road or quiet roads cycling infrastructure or with levels of investment. Levels of off-road infrastructure were somewhat higher in richer areas (r=0.32, p=0.02), although much of this was located in parkland and may have a predominant recreational function. Conclusion:In Melbourne, cycling infrastructure is positively correlated with cycle prevalence and is generally distributed equitably with respect to area-level socioeconomic position. In part this reflects the high levels of cycling infrastructure and spending in some relatively disadvantaged areas. Further studies that seek to understand the drivers behind successful policies in these areas may provide lessons for other areas, and aid our understanding of the complex relationships between cycling infrastructure, cycling behavior and socioeconomic position.

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Do the Health Benefits of Cycling Outweigh the Risks?

Cited by 65 publications

References 17 publications

Deriving high-resolution urban air pollution maps using mobile sensor nodes

Deriving high-resolution urban air pollution maps using mobile sensor nodes

Impact of traffic-related air pollution on acute changes in cardiac autonomic modulation during rest and physical activity: a cross-over study

The link between socioeconomic position, access to cycling infrastructure and cycling participation rates: An ecological study in Melbourne, Australia

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