What's more expensive? Owning a car or a bicycle? Answer seems obvious doesn't it? But how much more expensive are cars compared to bicycles? First, we need to consider not only the actual cost of the vehicle, but the hidden costs which can be related to air pollution, climate change, travel routes, noise, road wear, health, congestion, and time. Lucky for us, researchers have compared the costs and according to a Lund University study, traveling by car is six times more expensive for society and individuals.
What's more expensive? Owning a car or a bicycle? Answer seems obvious doesn't it? But how much more expensive are cars compared to bicycles?
First, we need to consider not only the actual cost of the vehicle, but the hidden costs which can be related to air pollution, climate change, travel routes, noise, road wear, health, congestion, and time.
Lucky for us, researchers have compared the costs and according to a Lund University study, traveling by car is six times more expensive for society and individuals.
Researchers used Copenhagen, Denmark as a subject city to study the price of car use compared to cycling.
In the comparative study, Stefan Gössling from Lund University and Andy S. Choi from the University of Queensland have investigated a cost-benefit analysis that the Copenhagen Municipality uses to determine whether new cycling infrastructure should be built.
The study considers how much cars cost society and how they compare to bicycles in terms of the hidden costs and benefits identified in Copenhagen.
The study concluded that cars have a greater negative impact on the economy than bicycles.
For example, if the costs to society and the costs to private individuals are added together, the impact of the car is EUR 0.50 per kilometre and the impact of the bicycle is EUR 0.08 per kilometre.
The study by Stefan Gössling and his colleague also shows that if we only look at costs/benefits for society, one kilometre by car costs EUR 0.15, whereas society earns EUR 0.16 on every kilometre cycled.
“The cost-benefit analysis in Copenhagen shows that investments in cycling infrastructure and bike-friendly policies are economically sustainable and give high returns”, says Stefan Gössling.
Cost-benefit analysis is a method used to calculate the benefits to society of infrastructure investments.
Of course not every community is set up for cycling. Suburban neighborhoods thrive on car transport and in most cases, biking is not a viable option especially when it comes to transporting large items, or your kids around town. But in neighborhoods where biking is possible and infrastructure is present, you may want to consider substituting your four-wheeled gas-guzzler for a two-wheeled high-speed.
Continue reading at Lund University.
Bike image via Shutterstock.
