Background

Despite the substantial evidence base for the health and economic benefits of walking and cycling, there remains a lack of published findings on the levels and benefits of active commuting at a national level. This study aimed to quantify the proportion of active commuters who met a daily equivalent of weekly physical activity recommendations through their commuting journeys, and the economic value of health benefits associated with active commuting in Scotland.

Methods

A repeat cross-sectional analysis of the 2001 and 2011 waves of the Scottish Census was conducted. We analysed data from approximately 250,000 respondents aged 16–74 at each time-point who selected walking or cycling for their usual journey to work. A count was taken of walkers and cyclists whose daily commuting time was at least 30 min. The Health Economic Assessment Tool was used to estimate the number of deaths averted by active commuting, and the associated economic value of walking and cycling annually and over a 10-year period.

Results

Active modes of commuting accounted for a modal share of 13.5% (n = 244,009) in 2001, and 14.5% (n = 286,145) in 2011. In 2001, 46.5% of all active commuters met a daily target of 30 min of moderate intensity activity rising to 50.2% in 2011. In Scotland, the annual health economic benefit of commuting to work by walking was estimated to be approximately EUR 700.2 million, and EUR 79.8 million for cycling to work.

Conclusion

This study provides clear evidence of the substantial health and economic benefits that active commuting makes at a population level. These findings support the case for further investment to increase levels of walking and cycling.

中文翻译：

---

量化苏格兰积极通勤的健康和经济效益

背景

尽管步行和骑自行车的健康和经济效益有大量证据基础，但仍然缺乏关于国家层面积极通勤的水平和益处的已发表研究结果。本研究旨在量化通过通勤旅程达到每日相当于每周身体活动建议的活跃通勤者的比例，以及与苏格兰积极通勤相关的健康益处的经济价值。

方法

对 2001 年和 2011 年苏格兰人口普查波进行了重复的横截面分析。我们在每个时间点分析了大约 250,000 名年龄在 16-74 岁之间的受访者的数据，这些受访者选择步行或骑自行车上班。对每天通勤时间至少为 30 分钟的步行者和骑自行车者进行了统计。健康经济评估工具用于估计通过积极通勤避免的死亡人数，以及每年和 10 年期间步行和骑自行车的相关经济价值。

结果

2001 年，活跃的通勤方式占比为 13.5%（n  = 244,009） ，2011 年为14.5%（n = 286,145）。 2001 年，46.5% 的活跃通勤者达到了每天 30 分钟中等强度的目标2011 年活动上升到 50.2%。在苏格兰，步行上班的年度健康经济效益估计约为 7.002 亿欧元，骑自行车上班的年度健康经济效益估计约为 7980 万欧元。

结论

这项研究提供了明确的证据，证明积极通勤在人口层面带来了巨大的健康和经济利益。这些发现支持进一步投资以提高步行和骑自行车的水平。