BOOK REVIEW: How Cycling Can Save The World by Peter Walker

THIS book does what it says on the tin – giving a compelling explanation of how cycling, if made available to everyone, could literally save the world. Peter Walker starts with his own journey from an asthmatic child who had lost all confidence in his physicality by his late teens, to spending three years working as a cycle courier.

This, in turn, piqued his interest as to what cycling could do for others.

Walker tackles issues of health, economy, climate change and safety, along with critical issues of equality and happiness. He examines the evidence available looking at cycling rates before and after interventions from governments and city authorities.

He looks at what works and what doesn’t and takes on the contentious issues around mandating the use of helmet and other ‘safety’ equipment. He not only explains how the world can be saved but how our future will be happier and more equal as well.

For me the most compelling argument is health – Walker explains the pathways to better health through mass cycling. The main tenet is what Walker terms ‘accidental exercise’ – activity that takes places within your normal day (commuting, shopping, accessing services) rather than being squeezed into our increasingly busy lives as an add on. This sounds plausible but does the evidence stack up?

Walker compares countries where cycling rates have increased (Netherlands and Denmark) with those where it has decreased (China) and finds that obesity levels are significantly different.

Cherry picking? Perhaps. But he then cites a study of over 24 countries comparing active travel to obesity levels which conclude that countries with higher cycling rates are, indeed, healthier. Obviously public health is highly complex and Walker doesn’t ignore other issues that contribute to obesity.

But it’s not just a matter of health. Walker presents case studies from London, Seville, Odense and New York which show that cycling can also help cities flourish economically.

Political leaders from both the left and right of the spectrum have taken bold and, at the time controversial, actions to reshape streets taking space from motorised traffic and giving it to cyclists and pedestrians. He notes with interest that these leaders who push through radical change motivated by the economic benefits for their cities, are not your archetypal left leaning liberal who would have supported cycling from an ideological perspective.

They acted because the evidence showed that mass cycling would make their cities more liveable, attractive and successful economically.

Walker also spends a lot of time on the nature of the debate around cycling. He argues that labelling cyclists as an ‘outgroup’ – something other to the norm and viewed as lawless and reckless – prevents politicians from taking the decisions necessary to enable mass cycling. New cycling infrastructure should be for the person with their children and shopping, who doesn’t cycle now because they feel unsafe, not the MAMIL cycling at 20mph on a road bike. Unfortunately, when many people say ‘cyclist’ it is the latter that comes to mind.

If nothing else this book will stand you in good stead in the comments sections of OYB!