Citation

Meschik M. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 2012; 48: 495-504.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.1028

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Most cities suffer from congestion and various traffic problems. Faltering public budgets do not allow expenditures for costly transport infrastructure. A recently conducted study on Vienna's inner-city traffic compared resulting financial effects of bicycle and car traffic on the economy as a whole. Health, travel times, accidents, vehicle operation and maintenance, traffic noise, CO2 and pollutants emissions were addressed. Per kilometer travelled, cyclists generate a surplus in external costs of 0.81 € whereas car traffic causes a loss of 0.04 €. Bicycling improves health and solves inner cities' transport and budget problems. Therefore bicycling should be promoted unconditionally.