Scientists from Britain, Brazil and the Netherlands investigated the black carbon levels to which cyclists are likely to be exposed on main routes with heavy traffic in three major cities where the universities respectively are based – focusing on London travelling to Liverpool Street, Rotterdam travelling to Rotterdam Station and São Paulo to Paulista Avenue.

The researchers then compared this information with black carbon exposure on alternative routes between the same origin and destination points that features parks, waterways and other green infrastructure.

Based on the data collected, the results showed that the main routes in London and São Paulo had exposed cyclists to higher concentrations of black carbon in comparison to alternative routes, whereas in Rotterdam, the concentration levels on main and alternative rotes were similar.

Furthermore, the results additionally discovered that cyclists were exposed to twice as much black carbon levels on main routes in São Paulo compared to London and Rotterdam.

However, Londoners cycling home on the main route during the evening commute were exposed to more pollutants than those who took the same route in the morning. Also, the evening commuters on the main route were exposed to twice as much black carbon as those who took the alternative route.

According to the Department of Transport, London has just over three million licensed vehicles, 2.7 million of which are cars. In the Greater London area, 35 per cent of all trips are made by car and 730,000 cycling trips are made every day – a number that has grown by 154 per cent since 2000.

“While it is common sense to conclude that cyclists are at risk of potentially harmful exposure levels of black carbon, our study provides further evidence that cyclists should plan alternative routes during specific times,” said Professor Prashant Kumar.

“A slower, cleaner route home could make a dramatic impact on your exposure to harmful black carbon,” Kumar suggested, director of GCARE at the University of Surrey.

“These findings should be considered when urban planners establish new cycle networks by increasing, as much as possible, the distance between the road and the cycle ways,” Kumar added.

“This evidence also directs decision makers to seriously invest in green infrastructure throughout our major cities, as there is mounting evidence that these could provide the best line of defence against road pollution in near-road environments.”

Professor Maria de Fatima from the University of São Paulo added: “As the use of vehicles continues to grow in Latin America – especially in São Paulo – it is important that we continue to gather evidence, so we can understand what impact this use of mostly biofuel-blended, diesel-fuelled vehicles has on our local environment, our personal health and the wellbeing of our planet.”

The study was published in the Journal of Transport Geography.

In 2017, E&T exclusively participated in a study run by a research team at King’s College, London, which aimed to assess individuals’ exposure to harmful pollutants. For two weeks, eight people – travelling by a variety of methods, including cycling – wore high-tech air pollution monitors to gather data about harmful particulates in the air on their routes to and from work.

Scientists from Britain, Brazil and the Netherlands investigated the black carbon levels to which cyclists are likely to be exposed on main routes with heavy traffic in three major cities where the universities respectively are based – focusing on London travelling to Liverpool Street, Rotterdam travelling to Rotterdam Station and São Paulo to Paulista Avenue.

The researchers then compared this information with black carbon exposure on alternative routes between the same origin and destination points that features parks, waterways and other green infrastructure.

Based on the data collected, the results showed that the main routes in London and São Paulo had exposed cyclists to higher concentrations of black carbon in comparison to alternative routes, whereas in Rotterdam, the concentration levels on main and alternative rotes were similar.

Furthermore, the results additionally discovered that cyclists were exposed to twice as much black carbon levels on main routes in São Paulo compared to London and Rotterdam.

However, Londoners cycling home on the main route during the evening commute were exposed to more pollutants than those who took the same route in the morning. Also, the evening commuters on the main route were exposed to twice as much black carbon as those who took the alternative route.

According to the Department of Transport, London has just over three million licensed vehicles, 2.7 million of which are cars. In the Greater London area, 35 per cent of all trips are made by car and 730,000 cycling trips are made every day – a number that has grown by 154 per cent since 2000.

“While it is common sense to conclude that cyclists are at risk of potentially harmful exposure levels of black carbon, our study provides further evidence that cyclists should plan alternative routes during specific times,” said Professor Prashant Kumar.

“A slower, cleaner route home could make a dramatic impact on your exposure to harmful black carbon,” Kumar suggested, director of GCARE at the University of Surrey.

“These findings should be considered when urban planners establish new cycle networks by increasing, as much as possible, the distance between the road and the cycle ways,” Kumar added.

“This evidence also directs decision makers to seriously invest in green infrastructure throughout our major cities, as there is mounting evidence that these could provide the best line of defence against road pollution in near-road environments.”

Professor Maria de Fatima from the University of São Paulo added: “As the use of vehicles continues to grow in Latin America – especially in São Paulo – it is important that we continue to gather evidence, so we can understand what impact this use of mostly biofuel-blended, diesel-fuelled vehicles has on our local environment, our personal health and the wellbeing of our planet.”

The study was published in the Journal of Transport Geography.

In 2017, E&T exclusively participated in a study run by a research team at King’s College, London, which aimed to assess individuals’ exposure to harmful pollutants. For two weeks, eight people – travelling by a variety of methods, including cycling – wore high-tech air pollution monitors to gather data about harmful particulates in the air on their routes to and from work.