Economic benefits of cycling on a local scale:

estimation of potential environmental, energy and, health impacts in Portugal

Authors

  • João Pedro Ferreira Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6726-7856
  • Catarina Isidoro Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Políticas e do Território, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4598-5870
  • Frederico Moura e Sá Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Políticas e do Território, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3660-2751
  • José Carlos Mota Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Políticas e do Território, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18055/Finis25261

Abstract

Research on sustainable urban mobility has highlighted the value of the
bicycle and its economic, social and, environmental benefits. However, despite the consensus
on the positive aspects, the paradigm shift that allows the bicycle to be affirmed as a means
of daily commuting faces many challenges, especially in contexts where it is rarely used. In
Portugal, according to the 2011 Census only 0.5% of the population uses the bicycle in their
daily urban mobility. It is in this context that the BOOST project developed a Roadmap for
Starter Cities that integrates the estimation of the potential economic value of cycling at a
local scale. The results show that an increase of about 2% in the modal share of the bicycle
in 10 years, in the whole of Portuguese municipalities, can correspond to annual cost reductions
of more than 1.1 million euros in CO2 emissions, to almost 25 million euros in fuel
consumption and 500 thousand euros in air quality. As for the health benefits, the reduction
in mortality associated with physical activity and the reduction of air pollution, represent a
potential positive economic impact of more than 140 million euros in 10 years for Portugal.
In this sense, it is possible to conclude that more sustainable travel patterns and in which the
bicycle assumes a more relevant position in urban mobility will have economic impacts, at
least in terms of health, energy, and environment.

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Published

2022-05-19

How to Cite

Ferreira, J. P., Isidoro, C., Moura e Sá, F., & Mota, J. C. (2022). Economic benefits of cycling on a local scale:: estimation of potential environmental, energy and, health impacts in Portugal. Finisterra, 57(119), 87–107. https://doi.org/10.18055/Finis25261

Issue

Vol. 57 No. 119 (2022)

Section

Articles

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