Philip Nilsson1, Helena Stigson2, Maria Ohlin3, Johan Strandroth4. 1. Folksam Reasearch, Bohusgatan 14, 10660 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Philip.k.nilsson@gmail.se. 2. Folksam Reasearch, Bohusgatan 14, 10660 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Applied Mechanics, Chalmers University of Technology, Hörsalsvägen 7a, 96 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: Helena.stigson@folksam.se. 3. Department of Applied Mechanics, Chalmers University of Technology, Hörsalsvägen 7a, 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Läroverksgatan 5, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: Maria.ohlin@gu.se. 4. Department of Applied Mechanics, Chalmers University of Technology, Hörsalsvägen 7a, 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; Swedish Transport Administration, Röda vägen 1, 781 70 Borlänge, Sweden. Electronic address: Johan.strandroth@trafikverket.se.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies have estimated the health effects of active commuting, where a transport mode shift from car to bicycle reduces risk of mortality and morbidity. Previous studies mainly assess the negative aspects of bicycling by referring to fatalities or police reported injuries. However, most bicycle crashes are not reported by the police and therefore hospital reported data would cover a much higher rate of injuries from bicycle crashes. The aim of the present study was to estimate the effect on injuries and fatalities from traffic crashes when shifting mode of transport from car to bicycle by using hospital reported data. METHODS: This present study models the change in number of injuries and fatalities due to a transport mode change using a given flow change from car to bicycle and current injury and fatality risk per distance for bicyclists and car occupants. RESULTS: show that bicyclists have a much higher injury risk (29 times) and fatality risk (10 times) than car occupants. In a scenario where car occupants in Stockholm living close to their work place shifts transport mode to bicycling, injuries, fatalities and health loss expressed in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) were estimated to increase. The vast majority of the estimated DALY increase was caused by severe injuries and fatalities and it tends to fluctuate so that the number of severe crashes may exceed the estimation with a large margin. CONCLUSION: Although the estimated increase of traffic crashes and DALY, a transport mode shift is seen as a way towards a more sustainable society. Thus, this present study highlights the need of strategic preventive measures in order to minimize the negative impacts from increased bicycling.
BACKGROUND: Several studies have estimated the health effects of active commuting, where a transport mode shift from car to bicycle reduces risk of mortality and morbidity. Previous studies mainly assess the negative aspects of bicycling by referring to fatalities or police reported injuries. However, most bicycle crashes are not reported by the police and therefore hospital reported data would cover a much higher rate of injuries from bicycle crashes. The aim of the present study was to estimate the effect on injuries and fatalities from traffic crashes when shifting mode of transport from car to bicycle by using hospital reported data. METHODS: This present study models the change in number of injuries and fatalities due to a transport mode change using a given flow change from car to bicycle and current injury and fatality risk per distance for bicyclists and car occupants. RESULTS: show that bicyclists have a much higher injury risk (29 times) and fatality risk (10 times) than car occupants. In a scenario where car occupants in Stockholm living close to their work place shifts transport mode to bicycling, injuries, fatalities and health loss expressed in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) were estimated to increase. The vast majority of the estimated DALY increase was caused by severe injuries and fatalities and it tends to fluctuate so that the number of severe crashes may exceed the estimation with a large margin. CONCLUSION: Although the estimated increase of traffic crashes and DALY, a transport mode shift is seen as a way towards a more sustainable society. Thus, this present study highlights the need of strategic preventive measures in order to minimize the negative impacts from increased bicycling.
Authors: Johan Nilsson Sommar; Christer Johansson; Boel Lövenheim; Peter Schantz; Anders Markstedt; Magnus Strömgren; Helena Stigson; Bertil Forsberg Journal: Scand J Public Health Date: 2021-05-12 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Hedi Katre Kriit; Jennifer Stewart Williams; Lars Lindholm; Bertil Forsberg; Johan Nilsson Sommar Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-09-17 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Nils Christian Utheim; Eirik Helseth; Mona Stroem; Paal Rydning; Magnus Mejlænder-Evjensvold; Thomas Glott; Christina Teisner Hoestmaelingen; Mads Aarhus; Paal Andre Roenning; Hege Linnerud Journal: Inj Epidemiol Date: 2022-03-24