Regular bike use in Nantes: a combined health and mobility approach

The health benefits of regular physical activity have now been clearly established. Two initiatives developed in Nantes allowed estimation of the benefits as perceived by local authorities as well as the motivations of cyclists and the general population. The City Council and the metropolitan area of Greater Nantes used the HEAT tool, which identifies the economic health benefit of increasing active forms of transport at the population level. The number of deaths avoided and the economic benefits were calculated by using both current and 2030-projected cycling rates and mortality rates. HEAT shows that, at current cycling rates, the health benefits result in 120 deaths avoided over 10 years for the city of Nantes (260 for the metropolitan area) with an economic benefit of (sic)461,000,000 ((sic)1,005,000,000 for the metropolitan area). A study of bike usage carried out in Greater Nantes based on interviews of cyclists and the general population showed that health and well-being were the leading reasons cited for cycling. The study showed an overrepresentation of academically qualified men amongst cyclists. This inter-sectorial approach reinforced the exchanges between politicians and staff in both the transport and health sectors. It also allowed sharing of objectives and joint actions notably in the form of the 2015-2020 Cycling Plan, which is designed to promote cycling among people not currently using this modality.