Post by kickstandman on Mar 28, 2017 13:48:53 GMT
Cycling in Minnesota creates thousands of jobs and cuts health-care spending, state report concludes
For many Minnesotans cycling is nothing more than a Sunday frolic, but a new report finds that the state’s bike industry produces $780 million in annual economic activity, 5,519 jobs and millions of dollars in health care savings because of reduced obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
And get this: Fully 13.6 percent of Twin Cities residents commute by bike, at least once in a while.
Those are the results of the first major investigation into the health and economic effects of the state’s bicycling industry, commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to help measure the financial return on taxpayers’ investment in biking infrastructure. “This will help us understand how biking contributes to the health and vitality of communities,” said Sara Dunlap, a MnDOT planner.
Continued: www.startribune.com/cycling-in-minnesota-creates-thousands-of-jobs-and-cuts-health-care-spending-state-report-concludes/417240963/
For many Minnesotans cycling is nothing more than a Sunday frolic, but a new report finds that the state’s bike industry produces $780 million in annual economic activity, 5,519 jobs and millions of dollars in health care savings because of reduced obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
And get this: Fully 13.6 percent of Twin Cities residents commute by bike, at least once in a while.
Those are the results of the first major investigation into the health and economic effects of the state’s bicycling industry, commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to help measure the financial return on taxpayers’ investment in biking infrastructure. “This will help us understand how biking contributes to the health and vitality of communities,” said Sara Dunlap, a MnDOT planner.
Continued: www.startribune.com/cycling-in-minnesota-creates-thousands-of-jobs-and-cuts-health-care-spending-state-report-concludes/417240963/
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Some little thing like winter to hold someone back?
Almost 14% commuting at least once in awhile is a fairly high number.
Also, some important data, the article says bike accidents were not looked at though they will try to incorporate that in the future in these studies:
For example, biking to work three times a week was associated with a 32 percent lower likelihood of obesity and 28 percent lower risk of high blood pressure — which produce substantial health savings and result in fewer premature deaths, he said.
I spend plenty of time in Minnesota still. The snow also gives one a good workout, shoveling or one can go as far as cross-country skiing, ice fishing and other pursuits. Minnesota had some 60 degree days this year in February; a fairly mild winter. Broomball, ice hockey and I did do some snow shoe-ing once. I have a ski-suit in case, I use the bike. That is fairly warm.
What a nice day for the bike ride per the picture.
