While stationary cardio auto have their place , most biking enthusiasts will tell you that nothing beats the unpredictable dominion of the undecided line . But can the wellness benefits of outdoor cycling be trump out by the peril ?
Columbia University is looking to find out . grant toNational Geographic , a squad of researchers are gearing up for an intensive study that will propose to evaluate the health effects of air pollution on riders in metropolitan areas . Volunteers will be outfitted with line quality monitor and GPS trackers that will provide minute - by - minute assessments of pollution concentrations ; a blood pressure monitor and biometric shirt will measure change in their heart and lung activity as they bike in the metropolis .
wellness expert already know that fineparticulate matter(which include things like black carbon paper and N oxide ) give out by fomite tailpipes is a serious wellness matter : foresightful - terminus exposure up the risk of eye and lung disease . Those exposures can be blow up when performing a strenuous bodily function like biking or jogging near dealings .
The available data on those risks signal a distinctive concentration of pollution is n’t give way to be harmful unless the depicted object pass hours at a time inhaling particulate . But Columbia ’s researchers believe that vulnerability is dynamical and can vary widely bet on the city , fomite congestion , and location .
While the bailiwick is still in its pilot phase , the eventual Bob Hope is that infer data could help inform apps that can advise cyclists on what sphere to avoid on a given day . In the meantime , cyclists can abbreviate their chance of vulnerability by hold open their distance : A 2014 Harvard School of Public Health [ PDF ] studyindicatedthat dedicated motorcycle paths — as opposed to lane hugging the route — that are insulated by vegetation can reduce the amount of particulates and keep wheeler from have to stop at traffic lights , where they can get a goodly dose from idling cars nearby ; rider who do n’t have that option might profit fromavoidinglarger Rudolf Diesel vehicles and peak dealings hours .
