Dear all,

 

On behalf of the UK Department for Transport, we are seeking evidence – published or unpublished – and technical guidance that links investing in cycling with wider economic benefits.  This research is intended to help make the case for continued investment in cycling in England and Wales, further to the Cycling and Walking Delivery Plan released in Autumn 2014.

                                                                                                                                             

By ‘wider economic benefits’ we mean effects that are not presently modelled in WebTAG, the Government’s standard transport appraisal tool.  WebTAG currently captures the benefits derived from reduced absenteeism, decongestion of the transport network, personal health effects, and journey ambience.

 

Our main areas of interest is evidence on how places that are better for cycling (including more attractive public realm) have achieved benefits such as:

 

Economic output

·       Increased cycle manufacture and maintenance

·       Increased cycling-tourism

·       Growth in cycle-logistics – savings to business operations

·       Increased spend-per-capita (spend by mode would be helpful)

·       Increased property values

·       Real estate efficiencies – fewer car parking spaces, more developable land

 

Employment/business benefits

·       Agglomeration effects of compact “city campus” office developments with lower car parking

·       Lifestyle preference of in-demand workforce leading to easier recruitment

·       Improved worker motivation/performance through increased physical activity

·       Improved access to jobs

·       Upskilling by increased access to education and training

·       Improved staff retention

·       Lower business expenditure on health care

 

Cost of living reduction

·       Reducing transport costs and mitigating other fixed living costs

·       Higher disposable income

 

Public spending reduction

·       Reduced public transport subsidy (eg where cycling replaces certain bus trips)

·       Lower costs of assisted travel (as a result of better physical health in later life)

·       Lower public spending on health and social care

 

Please view the linked PDF to read in more detail about the research and the key questions: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fivzymoofe3t8mf/InfoCallLetter.FINAL.pdf?dl=0 [publicly-accessible, no login required]

 

We would welcome your assistance in addressing these queries, and would be happy to discuss if you have any questions or comments.  We will credit any contributions in the final report.

 

Kind regards,