Cycling and health: an opportunity for positive change?

This editorial (6 April 2009) from the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) provides compelling evidence for encouraging cycling from a health perspective.  We know what to do in our communities to significantly increase the safety of cycling and the numbers of cyclists. What is needed now is action.

As the editorial (backed up by comprehensive references) notes:

"A dominant car culture and concerns about safety are the main reasons people give for not cycling in Australia. Mass media marketing campaigns are needed to help legitimise the value of cycling as transport, and advise drivers about relevant cycling road rules.

Despite the perceived risks of cycling, the absolute magnitude of the risk is low, and the benefit-to-risk ratio is overwhelmingly positive; for chronic disease prevention, obesity reduction and mental health, the benefits are substantial. Cycling provides an affordable, convenient and achievable form of physical activity for all Australians, including children and youth, through to older adults with chronic conditions. As a physical activity, it also meets transport and traffic management needs, and is eco-friendly.

Much more needs to be done in Australia to provide an environment that encourages people to cycle safely. This means giving greater funding and community priority to allocating road space for cycling. It also means physicians recommending that suitable patients consider cycling, and supporting efforts to improve the urban environment for cycling."

Professionals in many disciplines are involved in developing more sustainable outcomes in our communities.  Collaboration amongst urban planners and designers, and other professionals involved in health, parks, travel demand management, transport planning and traffic engineering is the way forward.

The same edition of MJA also includes an article on research entitled Bicycle Injuries and Mortality in Victoria, 2001 to 2006.