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Cyclists the least exposed to air pollution on congested routes into Leeds city centre

When the roads are busy, it’s by far the quickest way to travel

Research carried out at the University of Leeds has found that during a 4km commute into the city centre, cyclists suffered the least exposure to air pollution.

The Guardian reports that researchers used portable pollution-measuring equipment to track rush-hour commutes into and out of Leeds city centre in June.

All commuters set off at the same time and the volume of pollution each person was exposed to was measured over the course of their respective journeys.

Cyclists were exposed to a total of 12m pollution particles, bus passengers to 19m, motorists to 20m and pedestrians to 55m – although this fell below the levels experienced by bus passengers and motorists when the pedestrian took an alternative ‘green route’.

Air pollution worse for drivers than cyclists on same Bath road

At the heart of the findings was travel time. Despite breathing more rapidly, cyclists benefited from the shortest journey time – 11 minutes – which was around half that for bus passengers and motorists.

 

 

Peak pollution for cyclists occurred when high buildings trapped toxic air.

“On more congested routes, the cyclist would come out with the lowest inhaled dose,” said James Tate, who led the work.

He added that segregated cycle lanes would further reduce cyclists’ exposure. Not only would a metre or two from traffic cut particles by about a quarter, but “cycle lanes mean you can skip past traffic.”

An oft-repeated claim in some quarters is that cycle lanes increase air pollution by causing congestion. Campaigners say there is no evidence for this.

In contrast, research published earlier this year found that children in London’s first ‘Mini Holland’ borough, Waltham Forest, will enjoy greater life expectancy due to the efforts to promote cycling and walking and to reduce car use, while a study from New Zealand has since shown that investment in facilities for cyclists and pedestrians leads to lower levels of car use and reduces carbon emissions.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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3 comments

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Pushing50 | 5 years ago
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Gary Fuller, of King’s College London, the author of The Invisible Killer, said: “Forty percent of car journeys in England are less than two miles so there is huge scope for walking and cycling. More active travel has multiple benefits: it can reduce air pollution, reduce climate change emissions and help with urban noise. But most of all, more active travel can help people to get more exercise in their everyday life, and yield huge health benefits as a consequence.”

40%<2 miles. WOW! This is the surprising bit. 

"More active travel has multiple benefits". This is the unsurprising bit which is constantly ignored by the UK public.

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don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
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Quote:

Cyclists were exposed to a total of 12m pollution particles, bus passengers to 19m, motorists to 20m and pedestrians to 55m – although this fell below the levels experienced by bus passengers and motorists when the pedestrian took an alternative ‘green route’.

What does this actually mean? Apart from OMG 12 million!!! WTF??? Shouldn't we do something about this? Won't someone think of the children?

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CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
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12 million  particles, jesus fcuking christ.  They think thats good  2

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