In 2007, SQW carried out an assessment of the economic value of cycling for Cycling England. It works out as 91p per trip.
This is made up of:
- Increased physical activity reduces the risk of developing chronic disease and the risk of premature death: worth 21p per trip
- Increased physical activity also reduces absence from work due to sickness: worth 10p per trip
- Reduced inactivity and obesity reduces the costs to the NHS of treating asociated illness: worth 17p per trip
- Substituting car trips with cycle trips reduces pollution: worth 11p per trip
- Substituting car trips with cycle trips also reduces congestion: worth 32p per trip
At the current rate, I could calculate savings equal to the cost of the bike after about two years - as long as I ignored the fact that almost all of my rides are for recreation, on uncongested roads, and not a substitue for car journeys; and I've been bunking off work for a fair proportion of them over the last few weeks.
However, the health benefits alone are worth nearly 40p a trip to the government. I could, of course just give them 40p each time I feel like going for a ride, and save myself a lot of trouble. But then I'm not doing this to save the government money. So perhaps I won't.
1 comment:
Why is it that the Independent and Guardian have motoring under 'living' or life & style, with the fundamentals such as food and houses, but cycling comes under 'environment as if it is purely a counter cultural choice and not a way of getting about?
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