Cycling Can Change The World

Adapted from Rouleur article by Edward Pickering

Cycling is about the closest thing to a silver bullet that policymakers around the world have to improve life in cities especially, but everywhere. People choosing to cycle saves space on roads that are otherwise congested with motor vehicles. Cycling causes no pollution, save for the initial manufacturing impact. When people cycle, they become fitter and less vulnerable to the diseases and problems of sedentary lifestyles, which has the knock-on effect of reducing the financial burden on health services. There is also a good argument that cycling to work instead of driving or using public transport is good for mental health. It also gets you there on time and more alert. Cycling is way cheaper than driving.

Cars kill and injure thousands of people each year, while cyclist are responsible for hardly any serious accidents. Approximately 3,700 people die every day in road accidents worldwide, making a total of 1.35 million deaths globally in a year. Between 20 and 50 million people every year suffer non-fatal injuries resulting from car accidents.

Cars also kill animals, Cars kill approximately 41 million squirrels, 26 million cats, 19 million opossums, 15 million raccoons, 6 million dogs, and 350,000 deer in the United States each year.

Cities and towns that promote active travel are quieter, more pleasant places.

These are only the most obvious positive effects of cycling. Politicians in forward-thinking countries like the Netherlands, France, and Denmark have realized this and have been promoting active travel, building infrastructure and making their towns and cities work better as a result.

Cycling and other forms of active travel can change the world!

“We are alive, and if it gets hard, we will just enjoy being alive a bit more”

- Ana Orenz