Cycling Saves Australia $200 million in Health Costs
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 06.17.08
A new report, has after analysing the data, come up with a figure for the public health benefit offered by cycling. The study, Cycling: Getting Australia Moving, funded by the Australian government and prepared by Melbourne University and the Cycling Promotion Fund concluded that thanks to the increased health of cyclists, public health services are spared an estimated $227.2m AUD annually.
They also noted that per100,000 participants, an individual is seven times more likely to be hospitalised playing football than riding a bicycle. And observed that “the more cyclists there are, the safer it becomes. In fact, if cycling doubles, the risk per kilometre falls by 34%.” The report’s authors were pleased to find that between 2001 and 2006 bicycle journeys to work had risen 22% in Australian capital cities, with Melbourne being the standout, recording over a 42% increase.
While such trends are encouraging, the report also points out that about half the Australian population is insufficiently active, significantly increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes and obesity, not to mention breast and bowel cancer, depression and anxiety. And they found that “women and older Australians are less likely to cycle, a pattern which is not consistent with international cycling prevalence data.” (The full report can found on the Cycling Promotion Fund website. Link below)
So it is not surprising then that the launch of the report was accompanied by an announcement (PDF) from the federal Australian Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, that $45,000 would be forthcoming for the “development of a national cycling training scheme, to encourage more people to choose two wheeled transportation over four.” Peter said that “This new scheme, including the development of a national training curriculum, trainer accreditation and a consistent and recognised standard of cycle training across Australia, will help address that problem and increase levels of cycling in the community.” ::Cycling Promotion Fund, via ABC
Image found at C.I.C.L.E. (Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange)
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Ok heres my thing...I would LOOOOOOOVE to ride my bike to work but the problem is what do you do about the sweating issue? Bathe in the sink? I could change clothes but that would leave me stank. Then there is those baby wipes which I dont mind but that's alot of effort. I believe my ride is a total of 35 min...niiiiice work out. But Im dreanched by the time I get to work....any suggestions anyone?
It doesn't really "save" $200 million. It just doesn't cost $200 million. It is not like they have an extra $200 million sitting around to spend now. A slight difference, but a difference nontheless. Although, saying it saves $200 million is the best way to get the point across.
My favorite reason for riding a bike:
"It feels like flying!"
I love cycling, love driving too, but the clam for zero emission is rubbish?
Forgetting the obvious... bicycles are made of alloy, carbon plastic etc which all require considerable emissions to produce.
A cyclist primarily requires a well maintained and functional bicycle. Bicycle maintenance is easy and it needs only basic tools. Always choose a bicycle that suits the rider's ability and the kind of riding.
$200 million sounds even more impressive when you consider that only 1% of all trips taken in Australia are by bike, compared to 27% of all trips in the Netherlands. [source]
LCee, since you're looking for suggestions, let me tell you what I do. I have a 40 min commute at ~15mph. As you say, it's a great workout. I was able to commute all 5 days this past week, which I consider a great week. As for sweating / body odor, here's what I do:
1. Take a change of clothes for the office (obviously);
2. Don't schedule meeting for first thing in the morning;
3. When I get to work, take 1/2 hour and cool down (good time to get caught up on overnight email);
4. Close the office door, strip off cycling clothes, and rub down with a couple of baby-wipes that I keep at the office. I like the baby-powder scent, and these are good for your skin (aloe and all that);
5. Change into my work clothes, hang up my bike stuff on the back of my office door, and I'm fresh smelling and ready for the day.
This may sound like a hassle, but it's really not, and it lets you ride your bike without grossing out your co-workers. Try it!
I think that Robin Capper's comment above is typical of those I call "velo saboteurs", those who want to find reasons for not cycling or who want to downplay just how much of a difference cycling can make. My quesion for Robin is,
"Compared to what?"
Are you suggesting that the manufacture of a bicycle even approaches (say within an order of magnitude) that of a car? Obviously not. Are you suggesting that there are human manufacturing activities that can be comprehensively done on a totally emissions free basis? Name them. Are you differing with an assertion in a cartoon illustration? Get real.
The activity of commuting by bicycle is as close as we can get to emission free transportation. I have three bikes, all steel-framed, that are no, not emission-free, but my use of them is pretty darn close.
The issue of destination facillities (cycling = sweat) is a real one. Our office installed two shower cubicles when we moved office (our last had only one) to encourage cycling to work. Simple rationale; a healthy employee is a productive employee.. and a happy employee.
Employers need to understand the benefits and their responsibilities in these provisions.
PLSE keep us updated on the progress of Peter Garret's project?
Is something in the pipeline to improve the 'friendliness ' for cyclists on city roads?
i was happy for the info provided. i recently bought a bicycle and i started riding in the vicinity of my neighbourhood . I am afraid to go on the street here in Kingston , Jamaica because of the way people drive. I must say that i admire those who ride on the street and i hope to get the courage to ride there too
Sweaty Lcee.
I've commuted on a bike for nearly 10 years, about 8km each way. Showers are great at work, if you haven't got one I guess you could ask. But I can guess at what your boss will say.
I have recently moved from communting on a single speed mountainbike, to a town bike with a basket! Wow no sweat... it turns out riding with a backpack is liking having 2 jumpers on. I'm also choosing to ride about 10 % slower. I get about as hot as a walk that takes the same time
So now I only need to shower for a couple of months during mid summer. Cheers