Putting figures on the health benefits and risks of cycling

[lethargic_man]

According to Wikipedia:

The WHO's report suggests that increasing physical activity is a public health 'best buy', and that cycling is a 'highly suitable activity' for this purpose. The charity Sustrans reports that investment in cycling provision can give a 20:1 return from health and other benefits.

Cycling is not generally considered as a high-risk activity. In the UK, casualty rates per kilometer are comparable with walking, but are higher than for car occupants. Most cycle deaths result from a collision with a car or heavy goods vehicle.

A Danish study in 2000 concluded that cycling to work was linked to a 40% reduction in mortality rate; this included all causes of death, including road deaths.

Comments

[curious-reader.livejournal.com]

Well, it depends where you cycle. (I understand it is very healthy and so on.) When it is a less busy City then it is more unlikely having an accident. It is was not so problematic cycling in Bonn where my parents live. I would have felt a bit less save in Cologne. The car drivers did care less about pedestrians and cyclists. The worst was Berlin where it was sometimes impossible crossing the streets because cars came permanently round the corner. I wouldn't cycle in London. It is your choice. You obviously survived every time.

[snjstar.livejournal.com]

I'd cycle in England including London, but I would not feel safe cycling in Israel as the drivers are awful.