Read about the new study and the Bike Fed's perspective at our blog:
http://www.bfw.org/2011/11/02/biking-could-save-billions/
See the press release below from Hulsey's office.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: State Rep.
Brett Hulsey (608) 266-7521
November 2, 2011
*New Study Shows More Biking Can Save Lives, *
*Reduce** H**ealth Costs**, Traffic,** and Air Pollution**--*
*Governor Walker, GOP Should Restore WI Bike Funding*
Madison, WI--UW-Madison researchers Jonathan Patz, Maggie Grabow, and
Scott Spak, along with biking advocates, environmental advocates, and
Representative Brett Hulsey (D-Madison) released a new study showing that
replacing short driving trips with biking would benefit the
upper Midwest,
including Wisconsin, by saving at least $3.8 billion, saving 1,000 lives,
and cutting traffic by one-fifth or 20%.
“This study shows why Governor Walker and the Legislature should
adopt the new bill sponsored by Rep. Mark Pocan and Senator Fred
Risser to
restore funding for bicycling to save lives, reduce health costs, cut
traffic and save money,” said Hulsey. “It makes no sense for Governor
Walker to slash bicycle funding when there are so many benefits, in
addition to supporting the 13,000 jobs in the $1.5 billion Wisconsin bike
industry.”
The study of approximately 31.3 million people in urban and
suburban areas of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and
Ohio found that making 50% of short trips by bicycle, instead of by car,
would save about $3.8 billion a year from avoided mortality and reduced
health care costs for conditions like obesity and heart disease.
Researchers estimate that the combined benefits of improved air
quality and
physical fitness would exceed $7 billion in savings, saving 1,000 lives
annually, and removing about one-fifth of the traffic or 20% of vehicle
miles traveled (VMT). An added benefit of reducing auto dependence in
urban areas is the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that
cause global
climate change.
The study, “Air Quality and Exercise-Related Health Benefits from
Reduced Car Travel in the Midwestern
United States,” will be published online in Environmental Health
Perspectives today.
Link to study: *
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103440*<http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103440>
.
# # #
State Representative Brett Hulsey
Working for a Better Wisconsin
Serving the 77th District--Madison, Shorewood Hills and Middleton
3 North
State Capitol
P.O Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
Phone; 608-266-7521
Email: [email protected]
Web:*http://hulsey.assembly.wi.gov* <http://hulsey.assembly.wi.gov/>
Facebook:Rep.Brett.Hulsey
Twitter:BrettHulseyWI
--
________________________
Amanda White
Associate Director
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
(608) 251-4456
[email protected]
www.bfw.org
*Saris Gala - Nov. *12
Don't miss your chance to meet members of the *1986 7-Eleven Cycling
Team! *Register
NOW for the Saris Gala on Saturday, Nov. 12 http://www.sarisgala.org.
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