Ryan D Edwards1, Carl N Mason2. 1. Economics Department, Queens College, City University of New York, Powdermaker 300, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Queens, NY 11367, USA. Electronic address: redwards@qc.cuny.edu. 2. Department of Demography, University of California, 2232 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Electronic address: carlm@demog.berkeley.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the net impact on U.S. longevity of the decision to commute by bicycle rather than automobile. METHODS: We construct fatality rates per distance traveled using official statistics and denominators from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey. We model the life-table impact of switching from auto to bicycle commuting. Key factors are increased risks from road accidents and reduced risks from enhanced cardiovascular health. RESULTS: Bicycling fatality rates in the U.S. are an order of magnitude higher than in Western Europe. Risks punish both young and old, while the health benefits guard against causes of mortality that rise rapidly with age. Although the protective effects of bicycling appear significant, it may be optimal to wait until later ages to initiate regular bicycle commuting in the current U.S. risk environment, especially if individuals discount future life years. CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime health benefits of bicycle commuting appear to outweigh the risks in the U.S., but individuals who sufficiently discount or disbelieve the health benefits may delay or avoid bicycling. Bicycling in middle age avoids much fatality risk while capturing health benefits. Significant cross-state variations in bicycling mortality suggest that improvements in the built environment might spur changes in transit mode.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the net impact on U.S. longevity of the decision to commute by bicycle rather than automobile. METHODS: We construct fatality rates per distance traveled using official statistics and denominators from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey. We model the life-table impact of switching from auto to bicycle commuting. Key factors are increased risks from road accidents and reduced risks from enhanced cardiovascular health. RESULTS: Bicycling fatality rates in the U.S. are an order of magnitude higher than in Western Europe. Risks punish both young and old, while the health benefits guard against causes of mortality that rise rapidly with age. Although the protective effects of bicycling appear significant, it may be optimal to wait until later ages to initiate regular bicycle commuting in the current U.S. risk environment, especially if individuals discount future life years. CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime health benefits of bicycle commuting appear to outweigh the risks in the U.S., but individuals who sufficiently discount or disbelieve the health benefits may delay or avoid bicycling. Bicycling in middle age avoids much fatality risk while capturing health benefits. Significant cross-state variations in bicycling mortality suggest that improvements in the built environment might spur changes in transit mode.
Authors: Jeadran N Malagon-Rojas; Diana Carolina Pinzón-Silva; Luisa F Lagos M; Yesith Guillermo Toloza-Perez; Eliana L Parra; Luis Jorge Hernández Florez; Ricardo Morales Betancourt; Sol Angie Romero; Ana Paola Ríos Cabra; Olga L Sarmiento Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2022-01-31
Authors: Ross Gore; Christopher J Lynch; Craig A Jordan; Andrew Collins; R Michael Robinson; Gabrielle Fuller; Pearson Ames; Prateek Keerthi; Yash Kandukuri Journal: JMIR Public Health Surveill Date: 2022-08-24
Authors: Jeadran N Malagón-Rojas; Eliana L Parra-Barrera; Yesith Guillermo Toloza-Pérez; Hanna Soto; Luisa F Lagos; Daniela Mendez; Andrea Rico; Julia Edith Almentero; Mónica A Quintana-Cortes; Diana C Pinzón-Silva; Andrés García; John A Benavides-Piracón; Diana C Zona-Rubio; Claudia Portilla; Maria A Wilches-Mogollon; Sol A Romero-Díaz; Luis Jorge Hernández-Florez; Ricardo Morales; Olga L Sarmiento Journal: Medicina (Kaunas) Date: 2022-08-19 Impact factor: 2.948