I just read this great article about the substantial benefits across dimensions that could occur if there was a shift to active transport, in this case bicycling, from light vehicle (cars) in trips where the distance was about 4.5 miles or less. It was based on New Zealand numbers, but in the USA we cycle for commuting at about the same rate - barely 1% of us cycle to work. The researchers looked at pollution, cycle injury/crashes, health benefits from physical activity, decrease in adverse health events related to pollution, environmental effects. etc. They used many different models to estimate the effects of this reduction in vehicle miles and increases in biked miles. It was quite telling and I am convinced that it would be a great thing to do. Now this is not about exercising, just commuting. And I learned a new concept today. It was "safety in numbers" in that when the percentage of cyclists goes up the percent of injury or fatality associated with cycling does not go up equally. Meaning if the rate doubles, the risk of injury doesn't increase by 50% but maybe 30% and thus the risk to any one person is less as more people begin to cycle. Makes sense for many reasons that I will let you figure out for yourselves.
Here is the citation for the article:
Lindsay, G. Macmillan, A. Woodward, A. Aust NZ J Public Health. 2010; 54-60
But I meant to tell you this tonight:
I saw this yesterday at the arboretum near my house. This arboretum has a paved path of over a mile for people to walk and run and see the plants and flowers. It also has paths through the wooded areas. It is very popular, especially on nice days and especially for dog walkers. Yesterday was a beautiful day (today was an ugly day and I am still pouting about it).
But back to my observations: A girl about 3 or 4 years old was riding her tricycle (YAY!) and her Dad (or a man figure) was riding his, too. (YAY!) No one was wearing a helmet AND the little girl had a lollipop lodged deeply into her mouth as she peddled furiously through the park... Sigh oh sigh oh sigh -
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