RIDE A BIKE; LIVE LONGER!

Each hour of moderate to vigorous activity per week is associated with a 4-9% reduction in the risk of premature death from all causes (1), yet only 16% of Canadian adults are meeting recommended activity levels (2). Cycling as a mode of transport is an effective, maintainable strategy to keep adults regularly active in our busy lives (1).

Further Reading

PROTECTING CYCLISTS PROTECTS US ALL

Building bike lanes that are protected from vehicles makes streets safer for all road users, whether you’re driving, walking or cycling (3). In 2018, there were 1,922 deaths and 152,847 injuries resulting from on-road collisions in Canada (4). This can no longer be “the cost of doing business”; it requires immediate action.

Further reading from US cities and Ottawa.

CARS ARE THE #1 EMITTER OF GREENHOUSE GASES

In London, there are 286,000 registered vehicles producing nearly 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions (5). The majority of these car trips are less than 5km, which is only a 15-minute bike ride. When we enable Londoners to make more trips using human power instead of motor power, we will reduce emissions substantially - a necessary step to reduce our emissions by 30% by 2030.

CYCLING IS GOOD FOR YOUR WALLET, AND THE ECONOMY!

According to a TVO Today article from 2021 (5):

• Travelling by bike keeps more cash in cyclists’ pockets.

• When people choose to bike instead of drive, they help reduce road congestion, which can have an economic impact as well.

• Studies show that bike lane installations go hand-in-hand with increases in business.

• Cycling infrastructure is cheaper to construct and maintain than car infrastructure.