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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/98682
Health Impacts of Active Transportation in Europe
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Policies that stimulate active transportation (walking and
bicycling) have been related to heath benefits. This study aims
to assess the potential health risks and benefits of promoting
active transportation for commuting populations (age groups
16-64) in six European cities. We conducted a health impact
assessment using two scenarios: increased cycling and increased
walking. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality
related to changes in physical activity level, exposure to fine
particulate matter air pollution with a diameter <2.5 mum, as
well as traffic fatalities in the cities of Barcelona, Basel,
Copenhagen, Paris, Prague, and Warsaw. All scenarios produced
health benefits in the six cities. An increase in bicycle trips
to 35% of all trips (as in Copenhagen) produced the highest
benefits among the different scenarios analysed in Warsaw 113
(76-163) annual deaths avoided, Prague 61 (29-104), Barcelona 37
(24-56), Paris 37 (18-64) and Basel 5 (3-9). An increase in
walking trips to 50% of all trips (as in Paris) resulted in 19
(3-42) deaths avoided annually in Warsaw, 11(3-21) in Prague, 6
(4-9) in Basel, 3 (2-6) in Copenhagen and 3 (2-4) in Barcelona.
The scenarios would also reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the
six cities by 1,139 to 26,423 (metric tonnes per year). Policies
to promote active transportation may produce health benefits,
but these depend of the existing characteristics of the cities.
Increased collaboration between health practitioners, transport
specialists and urban planners will help to introduce the health
perspective in transport policies and promote active
transportation.
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ROJAS RUEDA, David, et al. Health Impacts of Active Transportation in Europe. PLoS One. 2016. Vol. 11, num. 3, pags. e0149990. ISSN 1932-6203. [consulted: 6 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/98682