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The World Health Organisation has stated that 'sedentary lifestyle, one of the two most important risk factors for non-communicable disease and early mortality in Western populations is associated with the use of motor vehicles'. (World Health Organisation) |
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Between 12,000 and 24,000 people die prematurely each year because of air pollution. (Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution, 1998) |
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One six year old in 10 is now obese and 20% of 15 year olds obese ... walking to school and walking up stairs are ways of putting activity back into our lives (Health Development Agency 2003) |
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According to a survey of 7 - 11 year olds the worst things about going to school by car are getting stuck in traffic, cars causing pollution and lack of exercise. Almost a third who live within a 15 minute walk of school are driven. (DETR 2000) |
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Heart disease rates would drop by 5-10% if one third of all short car journeys were made by bike. (CTC 1991) |
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Road traffic is the largest external cause of noise in houses. (AA 2000) |
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Exposure to pollutants inside a car can be three times as high as that of pedestrians or cyclists outside. (Environmental Transport Association) |
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Coronary heart disease is the biggest killer of adults in this country. Part of the blame is that we drive too much when we could walk or cycle - 'A New Deal for Transport', DETR 1998 |
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A 15-minute bike ride to and from work five times a week burns off the equivalent of 11 pounds of fat in a year (BUPA 2004) |
