Citation

Desapriya EBR, Fernando M, Bandara AN. BMJ Open 2015; 5(11): e008052.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Globally, there is a strong movement to encourage active lifestyles in our communities. Clinicians, the public health community and policy makers around the globe are encouraging communities to engage in active lifestyles. Dr.Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, is convinced of the benefits of active lifestyles in our communities and he encourages communities to embrace healthy behaviors (1). Furthermore, the Surgeon General aims to increase active lifestyles across the nation by calling for access to safe and convenient places to engage in these activities (1). Dr. Murthy rightly pointed out that it is not simply enough to encourage active lifestyles on its own without thinking about the importance of the built environment (1). A recent Canadian study by Teschke and her colleagues (2015) rightly recommend that the policy makers need to focus on bike infrastructure to promote safer cycling in our communities (2).

We also believe that the efforts to improve cyclist safety cannot succeed without making substantial improvements to the current built environment. Despite substantial evidence base documenting the efficacy of separated cycling routes on cyclist safety (3) there is a lack of funding or investment to implement this evidence based cyclist injury prevention strategy. Research also shows that safer cycling infrastructures increase cycling rates significantly (4).

References:

(1) Step It Up! The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities. Available online at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/walking-and-walkable- communities/

(2) Teschke K, Koehoorn M, Shen H, Dennis J. Bicycling injury hospitalisation rates in Canadian jurisdictions: analyses examining associations with helmet legislation and mode share.BMJ Open. 2015; 2;5(11):e008052. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008052.

(3) Reynolds CC, Harris MA, Teschke K, Cripton PA, Winters M. Environ Health. 2009 ;21;8:47.

(4) Winters M, Brauer M, Setton EM, Teschke K. Built environment influences on healthy transportation choices: bicycling versus driving. J Urban Health. 2010;87(6):969-93.

Language: en