“Living near a main road causes people to gain weight with the risk of obesity,” is the slightly dubious claim in The Daily Telegraph. While a Swedish study did find an association between noise pollution and obesity, cause and effect has not been proved.The study involved more than 5,000 adults. It looked at the traffic noise exposure where participants lived and whether they were obese according to measurements such as their body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference. The researchers also looked at exposure to road, rail and aircraft noise.
Archives for 2020
Covid-19 lockdowns have improved global air quality, data shows | The Guardian
Huge drops in pollution recorded around world
Around the world, Covid lockdowns have led to improvements in air pollution. In northern India, the Himalayas were visible in the distance for the first time in a generation. And during the first nine weeks of the UK lockdown, nitrogen dioxide along London’s roads decreased by an average of 31% compared with the pre-lockdown period.
Smashing the tyranny of the status quo: 10 of Britain’s historic hidden-gem LTNs – Zag
Chances are, if you were asked six months ago what a low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) was, you would have shrugged your shoulders and said, with rising intonation: “The Netherlands?”That’s probably not the case now. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced government and local authorities to rethink the way we get around. With many people preferring to avoid public transport, LTNs are among measures designed to prevent a rush to private cars (and ensuing gridlock) by providing safe routes for walking, cycling and scooting – and they’ve become Big News around the country. However, LTNs have been around for much, much longer – and the world hasn’t ended
Press Release: Pollution From Tyre Wear 1,000 Times Worse Than Exhaust Emissions — Emissions Analytics
• Tight regulation of exhaust emissions by the EU has meant that new cars emit very little particle pollution
• Increased popularity of SUVs, larger and heavier than standard vehicles, exacerbates this problem – as does growing sales of heavy EVs and widespread use of budget tyres• Fitting only high-quality tyres and lowering vehicle weight are routes to reducing these ‘non-exhaust emissions’(Belgian consumer association e-scooter tests & recommendation) Test Aankoop bezorgd over veiligheid elektrische steps: “Wij raden ze af” | VRT NWS: nieuws
Belgian consumer association tested 11 e-scooters, its recommendation? Get a bike.De consumentenorganisatie kocht online 11 verschillende steps die het door een onafhankelijk labo uitgebreid liet testen. Jens Van Herp van Test Aankoop in “De inspecteur” op Radio 2: “In het labo werd enerzijds een testsimulatie gedaan van alledaags gebruik. Versnellingen, vertragingen, heuvel op en heuvel af. Daarnaast werden ook de technische aspecten van de elektrische steps doorgelicht. Dat gaat dan om remafstand, vering en batterijkwaliteit.”
Build sustainable transport into recovery, business leaders and public urge – Cycle Industry News
Mark Sutton6 October, 2020Local authorities have been urged by business leaders and individuals alike to deliver on sustainable transport provision and micromobility, according to a new study of public and private sector attitudes.The call comes on the back of research carried out by global design and consultancy firm Arcadis, which polled the thoughts of 1,700 organisations and individuals this summer. Investment in ‘green infrastructure’ now ranks in the top three spend priorities in the minds of those businesses and individuals polled. Just 5% believe no action is required hereAir pollution particles in young brains linked to Alzheimer’s damage | The Guardian
Exclusive: if discovery is confirmed it will have global implications as 90% of people breathe dirty airLast modified on Tue 6 Oct 2020Tiny air pollution particles have been revealed in the brain stems of young people and are intimately associated with molecular damage linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
If the groundbreaking discovery is confirmed by future research, it would have worldwide implications because 90% of the global population live with unsafe air. Medical experts are cautious about the findings and said that while the nanoparticles are a likely cause of the damage, whether this leads to disease later in life remains to be seen.
Tuohy to lead CfBT at ‘critical time for transport’ – The Transport Network
The Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) has appointed Paul Tuohy as its new chief executive.
Mr Tuohy stepped down as chief executive of active travel and campaigning charity Cycling UK, which was previously the Cyclists’ Touring Club.
He will join CfBT in November, taking the role vacated by Darren Shirley, who has left to lead the Department for Transport’s new Acceleration Unit.CCC meeting minutes 21 September 2020
Update on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Camden, how can we promote and support them? Guest appearance from Eilidh Murray; Cycle Buddies; infrastructure update (pop-up lanes, Arlington LTN and Healthy School Streets)
Coronavirus: How pandemic sparked European cycling revolution – BBC News
1 day agoBy Kate VandyBBC News, Brussels
From Bucharest to Brussels, and from Lisbon to Lyon, the coronavirus pandemic has triggered unprecedented investment in cycling around Europe.
More than €1bn (£907m; $1.1bn) has been spent on cycling-related infrastructure and 2,300km (1,400 miles) of new bike lanes have been rolled out since the pandemic began.