Workshop H 6, Thursday 22 June, 9.00 - 10.30
Optimising health effects of cycling

Hildegard Resinger, Member of the working group on road safety, Amics de la Bici, Spain
Haritz Ferrando, Member, Amics de la Bici and SenseFums, Spain

Do cyclists need mandatory helmets?

The issue of bicycle helmets is still controversial. Should all cyclists be compelled to wear a helmet, or should they be allowed to take their own responsible decision? In some countries, Spain among them, there is strong pressure to make bicycle helmets mandatory. Here, a cocktail of opinions, beliefs and numbers is administered to the unaware public who swallows it and mostly agrees that "them" (the cyclists) should all wear a helmet. Legislators and decision-makers are car-dependent and, unless they are pressed strong enough, prefer giving some showy treatment to a single symptom (helmets to hide away the head injuries of cyclists in road crashes) than working hard in fighting the basic illness: generalised lack of road safety through malign motor traffic.

John van der Mark, Director, Predesign and Special Projects, Roads Department Transportation, Operations and Environment Division, Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, Canada

Breathing Harmful Air: Considerations for Bicycle Route Selection and Design

Urban air quality is becoming a public health issue. Recent studies indicate that small airborne particles are known to penetrate the human respiratory tract, which can be harmful to some people. These particles come from various sources; in Hamilton some 30 percent come from autos and trucks.

Much has been written about how to improve air quality.  Some authors have suggested that bicycles should play a greater role in transportation, specifically for short-distance trips.  Not much research, however, has been conducted regarding the health effects of air pollution on cycling participation.  For example, what health effects could cyclists expect from exposure to motor vehicle emissions?  Would people refrain from cycling because of air pollution?  What could be done to reduce adverse health effects on cyclists?

This paper explores these questions and possible answers.  The information is based on recent cycling surveys and air quality studies in Hamilton.  The data on health effects is derived primarily from an assessment of the proposed construction of a freeway and a nearby 5 km long trail.

Suggestions are made to reduce adverse health effects from air pollution in terms of bikeway planning and design as well as general mitigation measures.