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UW researchers calculate biking benefits: $7 billion and 1,100 lives each year

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on Nov. 3, 2011

cycling, health

Residents in 11 Midwestern cities would generate $7 billion in improved air quality, reduced health care costs and increased physical fitness by biking rather than driving for roughly half their trips of five miles or less, according to the work of researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

In addition, the decrease in air pollution and increase in fitness would save about 1,100 lives per year.

The findings of the team working at the Global Health Institute were published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. The calculations were based on computer models projecting reduced emissions, hospital visits and deaths if a moderate change to self-propelled travel would cut down residential vehicle use about 20%.

In the U.S. roughly 28% of all car trips are one mile or less, another 41% are two miles or less. Those short trips are particularly damaging, based on research that shows 25% of volatile organic compounds and 19% of particulate matter are emitted by cars in the first few minutes of operation.

The researchers concluded: “The current fossil fuel-based transportation system of the U.S. negatively impacts human health by increasing air pollution and automobile accidents and decreasing physical activity.

“Transport-related inactivity, i.e. the use of motorized transport rather than walking and bicycling, has been linked to increased mortality and decreases in healthy life years, with the greatest impacts on chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, breast cancer, and osteoporosis.”

The health care savings would be generated through a reduction of roughly 93,607 emergency room visits and hospital emissions annually for respiratory symptoms and another 660 fewer cases of cardiovascular disease.

Roughly 425 lives would be prolonged via improved air quality and another 687 due to improved physical health from activity.

According to the study, nearly one-third of the U.S. population is fully inactive.

Cycling advocates touted the study during a news conference in Madison, and used it to support a push for more state dollars devoted building bike lanes.

“This study shows why Governor Walker and the Legislature should adopt the new bill sponsored by Rep. Mark Pocan and Senator Fred Risser to restore funding for bicycling to save lives, reduce health costs, cut traffic and save money,” said Rep. Brett Hulsey (D-Madison.). “It makes no sense for Governor Walker to slash bicycle funding when there are so many benefits, in addition to supporting the 13,000 jobs in the $1.5 billion Wisconsin bike industry.”

In the 2011-’13 budget, Walker and the Legislature eliminated $5 million in state transportation funding dedicated to cycling and pedestrians projects.

Pocan and Risser have introduced a bill to restore that funding.

Writing for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, Dave Schlabowske pointed to the study findings as a call for greater personal responsibility.

“The citizens of our great country have a long and proud history of making personal sacrifices for the good of the nation in troubling times,” Schlabowske wrote. “Given we are already effectively rationing healthcare, perhaps it is once again time for our leaders to ask that people take more personal responsibility to reduce the cost of healthcare by making these very short trips on foot or by bike.”

73 Comments for "UW researchers calculate biking benefits: $7 billion and 1,100 lives each year"

  1. Izzatso - Thanks for pointing out the typo in the headline. I've corrected it.
    Which of the calculations used in the study do you find flawed?

    T. Held Nov 03, 2011 8:27 AM

  2. I am assuming that "roughly half their trips of five miles or less" refers to the time when the roads are not covered in ice or slush and when it's not bitterly cold outside.

    nettie Nov 03, 2011 8:32 AM

  3. I get that people should ride their bike or walk more often for short trips. There are numerous benefits that need not be mentioned. The problem I have is the thought that these computer models are even remotely reliable. Is it because the word 'computer' is involved? The link didn't work for me so I couldn't look at the details. I would imagine the 'computer model' assumed that people could and would ride their bike today but realistically who would ride today (besides me)? What about yesterday evening when it was raining? Or in summer when it's 90 and humid? I realize some ride their bikes in winter but it's a very small minority of the population. As much as people would like, the people of Wisconsin aren't going to be logging as many bike trips as the folks from the Netherlands. The weather is too rough and Wisconsin isn't flat enough. With that said, I hope people do get off their butts and ride.

    JTBA Nov 03, 2011 8:34 AM

  4. Riverwest Millionaire: I'm interested in taking a look at the research estimating an increase in biker fatalities through increased ridership. Earlier reports I've read show that bike vs. motor vehicle crash rates decrease with more bikers on the road. They may or may not be accurate, so it would be good to compare what you have.

    As for the ice and slush - the study was based on 124 days of weather suitable for riding. It's in the report.

    T. Held Nov 03, 2011 8:39 AM

  5. Thanks for your work, Tom.

    FredCity Nov 03, 2011 8:39 AM

  6. What are the inner city liberals going to do about powering up their amps for their radios that I can hear from 14 blocks away? And 23 inch dubs with spiners on, could really injure your leg and calf if you get too close.

    Riverwest Millionaire Nov 03, 2011 8:46 AM

  7. I'd love to bike more. But with all these slimy hippies "occupying" the streets biking has become hazardous! So, for the sake of public health ... I'll drive my Jeep to work instead!

    elections matter Nov 03, 2011 9:12 AM

  8. I'd love to bike more as well, but seeing how the Milwaukee streets will be more occupied by protesters and Tom Barretts ( which this paper refuses to report) $700 million (after government overruns) for a street car, I don't think there's going to be any room left for us bicycle lovers.

    Riverwest Millionaire Nov 03, 2011 9:31 AM

  9. would you bike if there was safe(r) bike infrastructure?
    (e.g. bike path beside the highway)

    kids generally love going for bike rides, by the way (in trailers, then on trail-a-bikes, then on their own bikes)
    and if it is uphill there?
    great!
    it'll be downhill home with the groceries!

    Greg F Nov 03, 2011 9:43 AM

  10. did you read it?
    they only consider short trips during the 6 months of "good" biking

    Greg F Nov 03, 2011 9:48 AM

  11. if you want to see tainted research and wasted money go to any of the oil industry funded research on air quality and/or climate change.

    Greg F Nov 03, 2011 9:50 AM

  12. yeah, air quality, health, health care costs, road building and maintenance costs, tax revenues and expenditures. yeah, all that stuff is not worth working on.

    Greg F Nov 03, 2011 9:52 AM

  13. I'd say the Falcon HTV is a luxury we can't afford right now.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA_Falcon_Project

    Greg F Nov 03, 2011 9:53 AM

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