Right - hopefully folk will use my serving suggestion for popcorn and enjoy a right good debate. I could have put into CHAT but this is a CW piece from last week.
Basically they were telling us cyclists how to avoid "urban pollution" - advocating a face mask. I am informed the the current UK best seller is the Respro range which has a charcoal cloth filter as this absorbs organic and acidic gases.
Kanco Easy Breathe is allegedly the best one to buy.
Anyway the article starts off with a concern that the benefits gained from cycling are cancelled out to some extent by the
CW wrote:
]
wet, gritty col, dark.. and wriggling between cars, kerbs, turcks and buses .. and then there are the fumes...
They are wondering what we are doing to our bodies when riding in the urban jungle.
OK .. so cars emit particulates an COC (Volatile Organic Compounds .. especially when ilding in a jam
CW at most sensationalised"}
Symptoms range from a cough to asthma to early graves [/quote]
Non "peer reviewed testing" in Hunddersfield and Southhampton seemed to indicate that riding a bike in busy urban jungles exposes the rider to 9 times more pollutants than riding on non-trafficked roads..
I do not deny that I find a huge difference in air quality here in Durham an in neighbouring Cumbria/N Yorks Dales/Moors and Northumberland and the Cheviots to our North to visits to London/Manchester/Birmingham and the like.
[quote="CW at sensationalist reporting wrote:
couple that with having a respirtory average of up to three times higher than a car driver - it's a wonder people ride at all
But then the reporter in the Fitness section goes on to add that it's not all doom and gloom.
cyclists do have the
Quote:
last laugh
CW piece wrote:
Traffic pollution is heavier than the air - which means it is closer to the ground and thus being on the bike elevates the breathing distance from teh pool of dangerous emiissions.
The car's ventilation systems tht are lo - suck in their own fumes and depending on the system setting - can reintroduce the pollution nto the car.
The heaviest recorded levels are found in "pollutant corridors" such as congested motorways and dual carriageways which cyclists are not allowd to ride on .. or may well choose not to.
Exposure is reduced compared to the car driver
The article goes on to tell me that as a car driver - I am exposed to 8 times more pollutnat concentration (which contradicts the statement in the first paragraph as quoted above)
OK .. I cycle and walk regularly and for longer distances than the commuter cyclist to work on my day's leisure/pleasure times
So my immune system is thus well "boosted" and perhaps enables me to ope better with "pollution levels" just the same
They suggest using a route wich avoids the congested pollutant corridors where possible
CW wrote:
Stayng away from teh pollutant corridors and riding in areas where the emissions disspate more quickly is the easiest way to limit exposure. Pick local roads and
cycle paths .
If your only option is to go with the traffic - keep distance from exhause pipes
and filter way to front . if possible
Filter by OVERTAKING the truck Do not undertake it
expert adviser from enviro research group . King;s College London wrote:
Cyclists will be breathing in more due to exercise demands. Cyclists should pick thir routes to avoid - for example - bus lanes in London. They should use the TfL cycling guide which lists the quieter routes - and otthr routes such as tow paths and parks.
There is no doubt that cycling aids recovery from illnesses and stimulates mental well being
He concludes by sayng cyclists feel safer when they see another cyclist and this encourages more to cycle.
True enough - but still say we have to encourage all to do Bikeability and continue to update and improve skills.
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