Journal of Physical Activity and Health
2011, 8(Suppl 1), S49-S58
Costs and Benefits of Bicycling Investments in Portland, Oregon
Thomas Gotschi
http://journals.humankinetics.com/jpah-pdf-articles?DocumentScreen=Detail&ccs=6412&cl=21365
Background: Promoting bicycling has great potential to increase overall physical
activity; however, significant uncertainty exists with regard to the
amount and effectiveness of investment needed for infrastructure. The
objective of this study is to assess how costs of Portland’s past and
planned investments in bicycling relate to health and other benefits.
Methods:
Costs of investment plans are compared with 2 types of monetized health
benefits, health care cost savings and value of statistical life
savings. Levels of bicycling are estimated using past trends, future
mode share goals, and a traffic demand model.
Results:
By 2040, investments in the range of $138 to $605 million will result in
health care cost savings of $388 to $594 million, fuel savings of $143
to $218 million, and savings in value of statistical lives of $7 to $12
billion. The benefit-cost ratios for health care and fuel savings are
between 3.8 and 1.2 to 1, and an order of magnitude larger when value of
statistical lives is used.
Conclusions: This first of
its kind cost-benefit analysis of investments in bicycling in a US city
shows that such efforts are cost-effective, even when only a limited
selection of benefits is considered.
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Beth McKechnie | Workplace Commuter Options
Green Action Centre
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