Active commuting is beneficial for health
BMJ 2017; 357 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j1740 (Published 19 April 2017) Cite this as: BMJ 2017;357:j1740
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Dear Editor! Thank you for your editorial on this research!
As the next step: I would like to appeal to all, able-bodied, health staff to lead by good example. And for those that do not feel they can take up this challenge, I would like to appeal to them and the managers of the institutions they work for, to wholeheartedly encourage active commuting so that it can evolve from often being treated as a freak, obsessive activity to a normal part of everyday life.
Kind regards
Florian Batstone
Competing interests: No competing interests
I am an avid bicyclist and used to bike to work, but I don't advocate people biking to work unless they have safe roads (preferably bike paths) to ride on. I have been hit by a car before (I was lucky to survive) and occasionally see where people in KC are killed on bicycles going to work at young ages (thinking they are doing the right thing for their health). People in vehicles are in hurry trying to get to and from work, on their cell phones, and texting. This really isn't a good recipe for longevity on a bicycle. People are probably better off riding in a park before or after work. Depending on the city in which you reside, your mortality risk may be higher by riding a bicycle to work.
Competing interests: No competing interests
I am a huge advocate for this way of thinking. It is quite obvious that we need to invest in cycling and active commuting which would not only help reduce cardiovascular disease and diabetes but should benefit mental health and musculoskeletal strength. The improvements in the environment in terms of reduction in congestion and air pollution are obvious and would improve respiratory health. What we must do is invest in segregated bike lanes and safety for cyclists and invensentivise able bodied people to change.
Competing interests: No competing interests
Dear Professor Andersen
I agree with the thrust of your editorial. However, I was surprised to read your sentence "Most other larger cities around the world and in the UK have experienced decreases in cycling rates over the same period." My impression was that bicycling rates were increasing in most cities with differing rates of increase. I have been living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the past 16 years and have cycled 12 km to work 2 or 3 times a week since I moved here. I used to see 1, 2 or 3 other bicyclists per commute back in 2001. Now I see about 10 or 15 others. I understand that a similar story is playing out throughout the USA. I referred to your reference (DTU. Transport habit studies 2016. www.modelcenter.transport.dtu.dk/transportvaneundersoegelsen/hvad_er_tu.) but alas could not find data supporting the decrease in cycling rates. Can you please point me to the relevant data?
Many people are fearful to commute by bicycle; they worry that a car will drive into them. My understanding from having read The Invisible Gorilla by Chabris and Simons and Traffic by Vanderbilt, is that as the absolute number of bicyclists increase, the absolute number of bicycle accidents decrease (not just the rate of bicycle accidents). Motorists are more likely to register a bicyclist when there are so many that they are expecting to see one. I, therefore, have a self-interest in encouraging more people to bicycle to work. The research by Celis-Morales et al and your editorial help in that endeavor. Thank you.
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re: Active commuting is beneficial for health
Dear Editor/Author
I was not able to see the defintion of long distance vs short distance when referred to cycling. Can you elaborate more on this?
Thank you very much for this great article that will further contribute to extending active commuting.
Regards from Catalonia.
Competing interests: No competing interests