Designing safe walkable areas in cities can increase the popularity of walking, decrease physical inactivity, and improve health. Urban environments can also be transformed into walkable areas, which can benefit the elderly, but safety can be problematic if areas are congested with cars. Aesthetically pleasing areas can become optimal places for walking and cycling in cities. As cycling and walking increases, urban infrastructure can be transformed to parks to add green space to urban environments. Cycling reduces the need for large roads and parking lots as bikes occupy 8% of available space compared to cars. Consequences of cycling and walking include increased exposure to air pollution, noise, and more frequent accidents. Cycling and walking can save money by reducing money spent on gasoline. Providing good infrastructure for active mobility effectively promotes this type of transportation to decrease traffic and urban congestion. Proponents of active mobility assert that activities like cycling and walking promote a feeling of community and connection, improving mental health and overall wellbeing. Cyclists and walkers perceive their environment differently than people driving in cars because cars block sensory inputs that active mobility exposes. Physical exercise improves mental and physical health. People exercising with active mobility on a rainy day The PHE report notes that walking and cycling daily is effective to increase physical activity and reduce levels of obesity, as well as prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and several mental illnesses, including depression. Public Health England estimated in 2016 that in the UK, physical inactivity directly contributes to one in six deaths every year. A House of Commons of the United Kingdom Health Committee report about Obesity in 2004 recommended cycling and walking as key components to combat obesity. Sedentary people can lower their BMI by increasing physical activity. studies advocate for increased access to active transportation for everyone, including children, due to multiple health benefits. The US Centers for Disease Control recommends increasing access to active transportation. However, negative health problems can arise from inactive and sedentary lifestyles. Active mobility improves health by decreasing air pollution from cars. Commonly active transport prevents the chances of fatal disease rooted from pollution and environmental issues.
Health benefits of active mobility include alleviating urban pressures, reduced energy consumption and production, and improved quality of life.
Studies have shown that city level programs are more effective than encouraging active mobility on the individual level. These policies are proven to result in large increases in active transportation for commuting: for example Portland, Oregon, was able to increase bicycle use 5-fold from 1990 to 2009 with pro-cycling programs. Public policies promoting active mobility tend to improve health indicators by increasing the levels of physical fitness and reducing the rates of obesity and diabetes, whilst also reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and consequent carbon emissions. Due to its prevalence, cycling is sometimes considered separately from the other forms of active mobility. The best-known forms of active mobility are walking and cycling, though other modes include running, rowing, skateboarding, kick scooters and roller skates.
The urban bicycle, one of the most widespread and well-known vehicles for active mobilityĪctive mobility, soft mobility, active travel, active transport or active transportation is the transport of people or goods, through non-motorized means, based around human physical activity.
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