Cycling and Its Benefits Both for Environment and Health - Annotated Bibliography Example

Keren Zhang Ms. Vance English 1A-40996 April 5, Annotated Bibliography Adams, John, Mayer Hillman and Tom Godefrooij. "Bicycle Helmets." BritishMedical Journal, Vol. 322, No. 7293 (2001): 1063-1065. Print. This article presents arguments from either side of the helmet debate. Some people support wearing of bicycle helmets when cycling while other believe that helmets do not prevent head injuries. As the authors explain, “the use of helmets alone will not prevent incidences of severe head injuries.” The author also argues that, “helmets help people prevent head injuries and cycle safely (1064).” According to the authors, “safety policies should be developed and implemented before adopting cycling as a mode of transport (1064).” The fact that the paper presents counter arguments on the issue of helmets makes it an excellent source. Bungum, Timothy, Monica Lounsbery and Sheniz Moonie. "Prevalence and Correlates of Walking and Biking to School Among Adolescents." Journal of Community Health, Vol. 34 (2009): 129-134. Print. The authors provide an insight into the predictors of adopting active transport to school among youths. Biking to school is a form of active transport that may help reduce obesity among youths, reduce congestion and emissions into the atmosphere. According to the authors, “the significant predictors of active transport among youths are street connectivity and gender (132).” Information from this article is valuable when planning cities to include schools in well-connected areas. The data is valid and reliable because the researchers used questionnaires and interviewed a large number of students. Carnall, Douglas, Michael McGrath and Patrick Lingwood. "Promoting Walking And Cycling As An Alternative To Using Cars." British Medical Journal, Vol. 329, No. 7476 (2004): 1237-1238. Print. Authors of the article provide reasons why we should promote cycling as an alternative to using cars. There are varying interests in the use of cars for transport ranging from huge business owners to governments. “Unlike cars, driving may help reduce congestion and traffic that is characteristic of cars in many cities (1237).” However, before promoting cycling as an alternative to driving, the authors suggest, “proponents need to examine the social forces that lead to extensive use of cars.” Despite the benefits of cycling, it will not be easy to use it as an alternative to driving. As the authors argue, “perception of safety is another big obstacle that undermines cycling as a form of transport.” Providing strong arguments from both sides, this paper qualifies a quality resource. Cupples, Julie and Elizabeth Ridley. "Towards a Heterogeneous Responsibility: Sustainability and Cycling Fundamentalism." Area, Vol. 40, No. 2 (2008): 254-264. Print. The authors explore the issue of biking as a form of sustainable transport from the perspective of urban government mentalities. According to the authors, “further exploration is necessary for the rationales behind the development of sustainable cities.” “Focus should be on how people embrace the use of bicycles in sustainable cities before implementing it as a source of transport (260).” This article is a crucial source because it offers more knowledge about the policy implications of adopting cycling as part of sustainable city planning. de Nazelle, Audrey and Mark Nieuwenhuijsen. "Integrated Health Impact Assessment of Cycling." Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol 67. No 2 (2010): 76-77. Print. An exploration of the health impacts of cycling by de Nazelle and Mark recognize the various benefits of cycling. According to the authors, “cycling is a physical activity that promotes good health, fitness, and weight loss. It also improves air quality, lower emissions and reduce congestion (76).” In assessing the impacts of cycling, the authors point out its detrimental consequences including the risk of traffic injuries. The paper is a good source because the results offer evidence and essential information for promoting transportation, planning, and health policies. Johan, Jeroen, Hans Nijland and Gerard Hoek. "Do the Health Benefits of cycling Outweigh the Risks." Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 118, No. 8 (2010): 1109-1116. Print. The authors of the article seek to assess whether the health benefits from an increased physical activity from urban commuting through cycling outweighs the associated health risks. Similar to the findings by Audrey and Mark, these authors found, “the estimated health benefits of cycling outweighed health risks (1113).” This source is important as it provides a reason for switching from driving to cycling for those campus students and staff keen on improving their health. Moudon, Anne, Chanam Lee and Allen Cheadle. "Cycling and the built environment, a US perspective." Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Vol. 10, Issue 3 (2005): 245-261. Print. In an attempt to understand cycling and the environment, the authors of the article assessed the cycling behavior of a sample of Washington residents. According to the researchers, “cycling was moderately related to the environment (257).” “Cycling infrastructure was limited in the area suggesting a small cycling behavior among the residents (259).” This information may be important as well to city planners and other stakeholders. The information from the study is valid and reliable because they used standard methods for assessing the objectives of the research. This article is a good source because it seeks to understand the behavior of cycling persons. It also evaluates the built environmental conditions related to cycling in neighborhoods. Ogilvie, David, Matt Egan and Val Hamilton. "Promoting walking and cycling as an alternative to using cars: systematic review." British Medical Journal, Vol. 329, No. 7469 (2004): 763-766. Print. This paper is almost similar to the paper by David Sloan because it also provides a systematic review on the adoption of walking and cycling as an alternative means of transport. However, this paper assessed the interventions necessary in promoting cycling. It also assessed the health effects associated with these interventions. According to findings, “there was improved health measures and fitness among participants who prefer cycling as a form of transport (764).” However, according to the authors, “there was no evidence on effects of any effective interventions to promoting cycling (765).” This is a good source because it adds information to the issue of using the bicycle as alternative means of transport in cities due to the associated benefits. Sloan, David and Domhnall MacAuley. "Cycling And Physical Exercise." British Medical Journal, Vol. 311, No. 7011 (1995): 1021-1022. print. The authors of this article agree with other authors on the role of cycling in enhancing health. Additional information provided by the authors that, “cycling is a health promotion message that most youths take positively.” “Secondly, cycling has great appeal to the youth. Therefore, it is critical to promote an activity that already has youth appeal (1022).” Since the youth are a primary target group for coronary heart disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyle, they are a crucial part of the cycling phenomenon. The paper is a useful resource because it provides more insight into the adoption of cycling as a form of transport by relating it to the reduction of chronic diseases such as heart conditions. Tanya, Horacek, Adrienne White and Geofrey Greene. "Sneakers and Spokes: An Assessment of the Walkability and Bikeability of US Postsecondary Institutions." Journal of Enviromental Health, Vol. 74, No. 7 (2012): 8-15. Print. This study assessed and described the walkability and cycling potential of campuses. According to the authors, “school environments had inadequate path safety and comfort for biking and walking.” “Learning institutions that support biking provided numerous benefits to the people and the environment (12).” This is a good source because it contributes to cycling in the campuses by offering important data to planners regarding improvements in schools. It is also a good source because the data was collected using standard methods modified from the CDC. Wardlaw, Malcolm. "Three Lessons For a Better Cycling Future." British Medical Journal, Vol. 321, No. 7276 (2000): 1582-1585. Print. Wardlaw gives an insight into the lessons people can learn from mistakes and accidents and ensure a better cycling future. Before drawing conclusions, Wardlaw explores the risks associated with cycling citing helmets as playing a minimal role in preventing head injuries. According to Wardlaw, “the first lesson is that cyclists can improve in road safety if left alone. Secondly, cyclists should act and be treated as drivers of vehicles. Lastly, cycling should be promoted for a safer environment (1584-1585).” This is a good source because the author provides vital information on the lessons people can learn to ensure a better cycling future. Zohra, Chileb, Richard Evans and Love Christine. "Cycling and Health." British Medical Journal, Vol. 321, No. 7257 (2000): 386-387. Print. This source is a combination of articles that provide detailed information on various aspects of cycling and health. According to the authors, “the health benefits of cycling are more than the risks.” The authors also argue that, “cycling helps save money and time (386).” In the same article, Christine argues that, “cyclists endanger pedestrians especially when collisions occur (387).” The fact that this paper provides an enormous amount of information and counter arguments about cycling makes it a splendid source. The descriptions are also comprehensive and well explained. 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