International comparisons

Compared to other countries in western europe, the UK has

high leveles of obesity
poor cycling facilities
low levels of cycling
high pedestrian casualties

Consequently many groups have called for a large change in UK transport policy, but little progress has occurred.

1. High obesity

The UK has the worst obesity levels in western europe:

Adults:

Children:

(Charts taken from OECD Obesity Update 2012 - download from http://www.oecd.org/health/49716427.pdf or from here.)

2. Poor cycling facilities

The UK has poor facilities for cycling compared to the best in western europe, and there is a strong negative correlation between obesity and active travel:

See

examples of continental segregated cycle tracks (which are rare in the UK) on the blog at http://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/not-dangerous/ e.g.

There is a strong negative correlation between obesity and active travel:

(Chart taken (Figure 2) from Basett et al (2008) - download from http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/jpah08.pdf.)

3. Poor pedestrian casualties

The UK has poor child (and adult) pedestrian casualties compared to other western european countries:

(Chart taken from DfT Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2012 Annual Report p224 - download from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2012.)

4. Recommendations on active travel by public health and other groups

The poor health and casualty position of the UK has led to calls for action on active travel by the Association of Directors of Public Health and over 100 other signatory bodies: Take action on active travel.

A review in 2012 found that progress in England had been poor: Is England taking action on
active travel?.