This was sent to the cycle-planning email list - may be of interest to
people here too.
Paul
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)has
recently published an 'evidence review' of "Transport Interventions
Promoting Safe Cycling and Walking".
It is available to download from:
http://www.publichealth.nice.org.uk/download.aspx?o=346196
Quoting the introduction: "This evidence briefing aims to answer two
related research questions: What transport interventions are
effective in increasing active travel, specifically walking and
cycling? And what transport interventions are effective in increasing
the safety of walking and cycling?"
Interestingly, the authors report that the evidence is 'inconclusive'
on the effectiveness of publicity campaigns, engineering measures and
financial incentives in achieving a shift from walking to cycling.
They do however report positively on targeted behavioural change
programmes.
They comment on "the very limited amount of primary evaluation
research on the impact of developments and changes in transport
systems with respect to health and physical activity".
I'd be interested to know what others on this group think- it
would appear that there is still a lack of robust evidence on which
pro-cycling measures do actually make a difference?
Regards,
Marcus
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