Cycling Health and Safety: International Transport Forum

The health benefits to society from cycling outweigh negative impacts by up to a factor of 20, according to the final research report "Cycling, Health and Safety" from the ITF Working Group on Cycling Safety. The report, published at a time when many cities are seeking to increase the share of cycling amidst concerns for safety, shows that the key to delivering overall benefits from cycling is creating a safe system through government policy and city action. Among the recommendations for policy makers is the moderation of some urban road speeds to 30km/h or less, and the use of separated cycling infrastructure to increase the number of new cyclists, hence reaping the greatest health benefits through increased physical activity, including reducing risks linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity and Type-2 diabetes.