Helsinki achieved an eight fold return on investment on cycle infrastructure in the city, the highest return on investment among all transport forms. 

Research and statistics both suggest that the more people that cycle, the safer cycling becomes. This is in part due to increased awareness of vulnerable road users, but also because with numbers comes pressure on authorities to cater to the people’s needs. In the 2016 London Mayoral election, cycling was the fifth most tweeted topic at 9%. Make cycling an election issue and progress soon follows.

On 8th and 9th Avenue, the USA’s first attempt at a protected bicycle lane, the infrastructure’s arrival correlated with an average 49% increase in turnover against a 3% rise in the same period borough wide.

A Cambridge University study shows the benefits of cycling outweigh the negative health impact of active travel in polluted cities, at least until you’ve cycled 90 minutes in 100 μg/m3 or more.

One Norwegian study demonstrated that aboard pedal cycles users were utilising 58% of their lung capacity, while electric assistance on max output still recorded an average of 51% of lung capacity use.
A similar study in Colorado found notable improvements to 20 e-Bike user’s cardiovascular health, with improved aerobic capacity and blood sugar control noted in all cases.

82% of those who took up cycling as part of their commute believe they are now healthier.

In 2011 prices, a typical UK cycling city could be worth £377 million in savings to the NHS in healthcare costs.

The ECF estimates healthcare savings tied to cycling to be worth €191.27 billion a year.

To name a few positives, cycling offers:

• increased cardiovascular fitness
• increased muscle strength and flexibility
• Reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes
• improved joint mobility                                              
• decreased stress levels
• strengthened bones
• decreased body fat levels
• prevention or management of disease
• reduced anxiety and depression.

Around the globe congestion is choking our cities and seeing annual pollution targets breached just days into the year. Costing over €100 billion annually, congestion sets European cities back to the equivalent of 1% of the entire EU GDP.

Cycle tourism represents 10% of Germany’s entire tourism revenue.

Cycle tourists tend to spend on average 9% more than those arriving in cars.

If you are new to cycling or returning to a bike after many years of absence there are lots of resources to help.