The development of bicycle roads in European cities will help prevent up to 10 thousand premature deaths per year. Such calculations are published in a study of how the extent and quality of bicycle transport networks affect the health of residents of European cities.

In order for this to become possible, cities need to increase at least 25% of the share of bicycle trips in the structure of common traffic flows in their streets. Then at least a quarter of the citizens will be able to change their bike for their daily movements, which will reduce air pollution and the number of accidents, and the physical activity of the inhabitants will grow, writes EuroPulse.

The study, partially funded by the EU, was conducted on the basis of 167 European cities. For example, in one London, thanks to the development of bicycle networks, it has already prevented 1210 premature deaths.