Based on new research published this summer, we now welcome road cycling and cycle commuting to the high risk activity fraternity. It turns out rock climbing and whitewater paddling has nothing on riding your bike to work.
New research indicates cycle commuters in the United States are 12 times more likely to be killed than car drivers (doing the same trip, or on a per km basis).
In Norway the factor is 7.5 times, and the Netherlands 4.3 times compared to those who travel by car. This past summer, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg and Montreal have all seen a spike in cycle commuting deaths.
This U.S. 12x number is astounding. There are mixed messages regarding cycle safety everywhere. Toronto’s mayor, as part of his election platform, promised to end the war on automobiles! New York City is in the midst of what is being called ‘bikelash’, political and media momentum against its rapid expansion of bike lanes. Contrast this to a proposed increase the U.S. tax credit for cycle commuters, the proliferation of downtown bike rental programs, and unequivocal approval of cycle commuting infrastructure by the majority of big city populations. According to Bicycle Retailer Magazine, more people are cycling to work than ever before.
As with any risk of loss there is an upside. In this case the health benefits of active transportation outweigh the risks by a factor of nine. Despite the risk of collision and added exposure to pollutants (exhaust), the physical activity actually lengthens one’s life.
Sources:
National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health http://www.ncceh.ca/en/practice_policy/ncceh_reviews/active_transportation