'Boris bikes' may be good for your health

Conclusion This modelling study estimated that, on the whole, the health benefits of the bike hire scheme in London outweighed the harms from cycle-related injuries and deaths, as well as pollution. The benefits were smaller for women than men, as well as for younger groups, suggesting that the risk reward on the roads might not be same for everyone. The researchers found that around three-quarters of cycle hire trips were taken by men, and mostly in the age group of 15 to 44 years. The estimated benefit was greater for men than for women, although this may be because men used the bikes more than women in this period. Despite this, there has been a higher rate of cycling fatalities involving women, particularly in incidents with large goods vehicles (LGVs). Similarly, the benefit was observed to be greater for older people, although this should be interpreted in the correct context. This was because of the higher rate of injuries involving younger people and only 2.5% of all cycle hire trips were made by people over 60. Despite the possible belief that cycling in London exposes you to pollution, pollution levels were actually higher on the London Underground, which people may have travelled on if they weren't cycling. The study's strengths include its use of reliable bike usage data and that it took recorded cycle accident rates and recorded pollution levels into account. However, it is important to bear in mind that the expected health benefits were only estimates. That s...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Lifestyle/exercise Heart/lungs Mental health Source Type: news