Walking is more than an issue of transport with lower emissions

Getting around the city on foot or by bicycle rather than drive to bring people more benefits than the release of vehicles from reducing emissions of gases, say British scientists simulate various options for urban transport development in the future.

The researchers compared the expected impact on the health of the citizens of alternative scenarios of urban transport in London (United Kingdom) and Delhi (India) in 2030. The first scenario assumes the absence of any change, the second - the introduction of vehicles with lower emissions, the third - increasing the number of pedestrians and cyclists by reducing traffic, the fourth - a combination of increasing pedestrian and bicycle traffic and the introduction of vehicles with lower emissions .

It was found that both cities increased number of pedestrians and cyclists by reducing car traffic would be of greater benefit to public health than the introduction of vehicles with lower emissions. Benefits were 40 times heavier in London and 7 times - in New Delhi. Well recognized as the most appropriate development plan, which uses a combination of increasing pedestrian and bicycle traffic and the introduction of vehicles with lower emissions. In London, the plan would lead to a reduction in ischemic heart disease at 10-19%, which means saving lives in the 1950-4240 year, cerebrovascular disease at 10-18%, which would save 200-240 lives each year, breast cancer at 12-13%, thus avoiding the 200-210 deaths per year. Also, this plan would lead to a reduction in the incidence of depression and colorectal cancer, the authors work.

In turn, in New Delhi, the plan would lead to a reduction in ischemic heart disease at 11-25%, which means a saving of lives in the 2490-7140 year, cerebrovascular disease at 11-25%, which will save 1270-3650 lives annually and diabetes in the 6-17%, thus avoiding the 150-460 deaths per year. Also, this plan would lead to a reduction in the incidence of acute respiratory infections in children, lung cancer and depression.

Experts have concluded that improving the security, comfort and convenience of walking distance and cycling, and reduce the attractiveness of the use of private motor vehicles (speed, convenience, cost) - it is something that should be achieved in the first place.