Cycling could save society $24 trillion between now & 2050, with the right investment in accelerating uptake of cycling | ITDP

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

Cycling plays a major role in personal mobility around the world, but it could play a much bigger role. Given the convenience, health benefits, and affordability of bicycles, they could provide a far greater proportion of urban passenger transportation, helping reduce energy use and CO2 emissions worldwide.

This report presents a new look at the future of cycling for urban transportation (rather than recreation), and the potential contribution it could make to mobility as well as sustainability. The results show that a world with a dramatic increase in cycling could save society US$24 trillion cumulatively between 2015 and 2050, and cut CO2 emissions from urban passenger transport by nearly 11 percent in 2050 compared to a High Shift scenario without a strong cycling emphasis.

MoBikeFed comment: This is an idealized plan that will require a major shift in thinking and resources to achieve. But no matter the benefits, we don't make major shifts unless someone is envisioning them and articulating the benefits.

The benefits of a major shift towards cycling are huge--and well worth considering.

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