Research and analysis

The economic benefits of walking and cycling

Research into the benefits of walking and cycling, including cost and health benefits, time saved and the effects on accident rates and congestion.

Documents

Claiming the Health Dividend: a summary and discussion of value for money estimates from studies of investment in walking and cycling

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Details

This report compiles the latest cost-benefit evidence from studies that have calculated health benefits, alongside other benefits such as savings in travel time, congestion and accidents.

The typical benefit-cost ratios are considerably greater than the threshold of 4:1 which is considered by the Department for Transport as ‘very high’ value for money. This supports the conclusion that small-scale transport schemes can really deliver high value for money.

Published 6 November 2014