Cycle or walk through healthy routes
Choosing less busy roads for walking or cycling to and from work or school will reduce your exposure to air pollution.
You tackle the following challenges:
That's how you do it
- As a cyclist or pedestrian, you are often exposed to air pollution from motorized transport while commuting. An alternative route can reduce that exposure, which has a positive effect on your health.
- If possible, opt for slow roads or cycling or walking paths that are away from the highway. The further you ride from motorized traffic, the better. Do not always choose the fastest route, but the least polluted and safest route.
- Choose roads with as little motorized traffic as possible.
- In Flanders, you can find good walking and cycling routes to school or work using school route maps — maps that show the safest and healthiest routes — or via 'healthiest route' apps. Use these apps with real-time information to guide your route and/or timing.
- Departure outside peak hours if possible .
- Avoid major intersections and roads with traffic jams.
- Create school streets near schools, which are temporarily closed to traffic during the pick-up and drop-off of the students.
Tips
- The amount of inhaled particulate matter is higher for cyclists than for motorists, but the physical activity caused by cycling compensates for the negative effects of air pollution.
- Involve students in drawing up school route maps, e.g. by having them measure air quality on the routes.
More information
- PASTA project (European project)
- BE-GOOD (Interreg North-West project)
- Snuffelfiets- Measuring air quality together (RIVM, the Netherlands)
