Health
As highlighted in the Environment section above, motor vehicles are a major source of harmful air pollutants, including NOx, CO2 and particulate matter (PM). High levels of NOx can lead to coughing and shortness of breath, and people who have extensive exposure to NO2 have a higher risk of respiratory disease. PM can also increase the risk of heart and respiratory disease, with PM of less than 10 micrometres diameter posing the greatest threat as it can enter the bloodstream (EC, EU Urban Mobility: Policy Context, 2017). A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2018 on air pollution and child health, underlines just how big the problem is. Nine out of ten people worldwide breathe polluted air, which is responsible for 7 million deaths every year, many of who are children. (WHO, Air Pollution and Child Health, 2018)
Prolonged exposure to noise from road transport in cities can also lead to health issues, including sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and mental health problems.
Physical inactivity amongst adults and children is leading to health concerns, including obesity and increased risk of developing noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, dementia, depression and premature death. Whilst not strictly a ‘transport’ problem, physical inactivity has been linked to increased urbanisation and declining use of active transport modes. The WHO’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (2018) states that current levels of physical inactivity are partly due to insufficient participation in physical activity during leisure time and an increase in sedentary behaviour during occupational and domestic activities[1]. A number of environmental factors relating to increased urbanisation have been identified that may discourage participation in physical activity, including insecurity, high-density traffic, low air quality, pollution, and a lack of green areas and parks, footpaths and sports/recreation facilities.
How cycling can contribute to improved health
A modal shift to cycling can improve health by reducing the physical inactivity of the people who cycle. More broadly the health of urban populations is improved from a reduction in air pollution and noise emissions from motorised transport.