Dutch Cycling: Quantifying the Health and Related Economic Benefits
- 1 August 2015
- journal article
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 105 (8), e13-e15
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2015.302724
Abstract
The Netherlands is well known for their high bicycle use. We used the Health Economic Assessment Tool and life table calculations to quantify the population-level health benefits from Dutch cycling levels. Cycling prevents about 6500 deaths each year, and Dutch people have half-a-year-longer life expectancy because of cycling. These health benefits correspond to more than 3% of the Dutch gross domestic product. Our study confirmed that investments in bicycle-promoting policies (e.g., improved bicycle infrastructure and facilities) will likely yield a high cost–benefit ratio in the long term.Keywords
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