Making the Economic Case for Cycling
About
Cycling has significant economic benefits — for individuals, cities, and society — and functions as a low-cost, high-yield, scalable solution to climate and equity issues. Investments in cycling infrastructure also create jobs and opportunities to expand existing industries or develop new ones. While many cities have seen firsthand the benefits of investing in infrastructure and other street design improvements that support safe, direct, and connected cycling trips, other cities are not convinced that such investments yield enough economic value to equal or exceed the upfront costs.
As part of ITDP’s Cycling Cities campaign, this report finds that supporting a shift to cycling:
- Lowers transport costs for people by reducing car dependence with a safe, affordable alternative to driving, and enables less car ownership or the avoidance of ownership altogether;
- Saves cities money through fewer healthcare costs from traffic crashes; less congestion and unproductive time spent in traffic; and a decrease in air pollution and emissions that contribute to climate change;
- Creates jobs and economic opportunities in related industries like manufacturing, tourism, shared micromobility, goods delivery, street vending, etc.
Building connected and comprehensive urban cycling infrastructure is an investment in the resiliency of all of our transport systems. In this report, we make the economic case for cycling and demonstrate how investing in cycling as a transport mode saves people and cities money while improving quality-of-life for all.
Learn More
- Continue Reading on the ITDP Blog →
- View the “More Cycling, Lower Costs” webinar →
- Listen to the Twitter Space on “Building Economies Around Cycling” →
- Download the “3 Reasons to Invest in Cycling” infographic →
- View the Making the Economic Case for Cycling animated video →
- Learn more about the Cycling Cities Campaign and Learning Hub Course →
Interested in learning more about this research or have a press inquiry? Email us at mobility@itdp.org.
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