Living on the temperate west coast, many of us choose to bike or walk to work. However, since bikers and walkers often have to share the road with other vehicles, they are often exposed to air pollution. Many bikers wonder if they should replace their bike with a car or bus pass.
Air pollution can cause major health problems. Source: “Health Effects of Ozone and Particle Pollution” by American Lung Association. Used under Section 29 of the Copyright Act (Revised 2016)
A new UBC study released two weeks ago measured the optimal speed to minimize the inhalation of air pollutants at the same time maximizing the activity’s health benefits. It found that cyclists riding from 12 to 20 kilometers per hour and pedestrians moving from two to six kilometers per hour minimize their exposure to air pollutants while gaining the most health benefits from their exercise. The study measured the “sweet spot” between riding quickly to lessen exposure to pollutants and riding slowly to lessen inhalation.
Although this speed will minimize the inhalation of air pollutants, it is also clear that road users should stay away from more heavily polluted roadways in industrial areas. Industrial areas often burn diesel, which produces the highest amount of air pollutants and soot. Once exposed to humans, soot irritates the eyes, nose, throat and lungs which are a root factor for many respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. In the UK, premature death due to air pollution amounts to 40,000 people per year[1].
Cities’ pollution by Particulate matter. Graph made using Excel 2016. Data collected by World Bank (http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/table3_13.pdf).
However, cycling and walking in polluted areas may not be as bad as you might think. The benefits of cycling and walking, even in a heavily polluted city like Delhi, outweigh the disadvantages caused by breathing in the polluted air because physical inactivity itself is such a health hazard. Physical inactivity increases the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some types of cancers.
A real-life story of the benefits of commuting by cycling. Source: “Cycling to Work Scheme Saved My Life” by Toby Field– Youtube. Used under Section 29 of the Copyright Act (Revised 2016).
So keep on cycling and walking to work everyone! Personally, I was pleasantly surprised on the health benefits of cycling. Even though you may be exposing yourself to air pollutants, the benefits of exercise outweigh physical inactivity caused by sitting in traffic jams.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/22/indoor-and-outdoor-air-pollution-claiming-at-least-40000-uk-lives-a-year
Kelvin Au
