Cyclists should wear face masks covering their nose and mouth whilst riding on congested roads, an academic has said.
The recommendation is due to the heavier breathing caused by cycling, and the subsequently greater inhalation of harmful particulates that could cause damage to several key organs.
Jill Belch, a professor of vascular medicine who also co-chairs the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh’s air pollution working group, made the comments within a presentation at Cycling Scotland’s annual conference in Perth, as first reported by the Scotsman.
Belch also said it was important any masks worn are tight-fitting so they move towards the face when breathing in, but warned that they would not protect the body from harmful polluting gases such as nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
“Nobody wants to wear a mask while cycling but they can help if you are in a very polluted area,” she said, adding the most effective action a cyclist could take would be to ride on off-road cycle paths wherever possible.
Alternatively, surrounding plants and trees near a cycle lane could also improve the quality of air, whilst physical separation preventing cyclists riding in the same lane as polluting vehicles would also be beneficial.
In response to Belch’s comments, a Cycling Scotland spokesperson reiterated cycling remained a net benefit to a person’s health, whilst noting, “People may understandably have a specific health reason to wear a close-fitting mask while cycling on polluted streets. The most important thing is that more people cycling means fewer polluting vehicles creating congestion.”
“Getting the most dangerous and polluting vehicles out of our communities will benefit everyone’s health. Cycling is fantastic for your health and the research at our conference demonstrated yet another benefit of segregated cycle lanes and more green space in urban areas, separating people walking, wheeling and cycling from the worst traffic fumes.”
Ian Maxwell, from Edinburgh Cycle campaigners Spokes, also told the ‘paper, “Although some people might decide to use masks or helmets, they shouldn’t feel obliged to chose either.
“They can help more by joining campaigns against urban motor transport.”
Last week, Cycling Scotland released data showing the number of cyclists had overtaken the number of cars on Leith Walk in Edinburgh during a morning rush hour for the first time, whilst more than 5,600 cyclists were recording using the cycle lane during a two day period in May earlier this year.
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Meanwhile several streets in Glasgow have also recorded their highest ever cycle traffic on several protected bike lanes, as well as their highest ever share of total journeys. Clyde Street, Garscube Road, and Victoria Road, all recorded their highest ever number of cycle journeys having seen two-way protected cycle lanes recently installed, with the latter seeing cycling account for 16 percent of all modes of travel.
Both city councils have welcomed the figures, whilst Scotland’s Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said “record levels of use demonstrate that the infrastructure we are providing is helping more people than ever travel by bike for everyday journeys.
“Active travel is pivotal in helping people save money, improve their health and reduce transport emissions – walking, wheeling and cycling is transformational for both people and planet.”
However Cycling Scotland’s figures did not show a similar pattern of a reduced number of cars on the roads during this time, suggesting that those motivated to cycle were likely not former drivers along the same roads.
1 thought on ““Nobody wants to wear a mask but they can help”: Scientist tells cyclists they should cover nose and face when riding in high-polluting heavy traffic”
If the pollution is harmful the answer is to curtail the pollution. Cyclists are not the only victims. Everyone using roads and even living close to them is affected.
Clear precedents exist in the UK on how to reduce harmful pollutants from motor traffic for example the LEZ and ULEZ in London.
It is odd that the academic is not recommending such schemes.