The principle objective of the project BikeRisk was to carry out a comprehensive study of the risks associated with everyday cycling including a comparison with other modes of transport (walking, public transport, private car). The starting point was the analysis of lifestyles and mobility patterns of the Austrian population. The next step was to investigate the health risks related to traffic accidents and air pollution. The accident risks were determined based on the analysis of the official Austrian traffic accident statistics and the Austrian Injury Database (IDB). The health risks due to air pollution were ascertained by means of a literature review and measurements using a portable aerosol monitor. Finally the results were brought together with the results of the project “Health Benefits of Cycling for Transport”. For different scenarios a balance of the positive and negative effects health effects was created based on gained and lost life time. The analysis shows that the positive effects dominate under nearly all conceivable circumstances. (Author/publisher)
Abstract