1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This external CAN Policy aims to support cycling advocacy by providing a detailed explanation of cycling as a determinant of improved health and wellbeing.

1.2 Scope and application
This Policy is for public release and for use by advocacy groups. The Policy aims to influence both governmental and non-governmental decision makers to support cycling within their organisations and to promote the benefits of cycling to stakeholders. The Policy also aims encourage cycling by the general public.

1.2 Definitions
1.2.1 Health and wellbeing - a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (from the Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organisation, 1948).
1.2.2 Cycling advocacy - an activity that aims to influence decision makers to support cycling to the benefit of the community.

2 Rationale
2.1 Physical activity contributes substantially to a person's health and wellbeing, and to the wider community through improved public health and community building (Anon 2010; Cohen et al. 2014).
2.2 Increased levels of cycling have been shown in multiple studies to decrease the incidence of many contemporary health problems such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease (Pucher et al. 2010; Rissel & Watkins 2014).
2.3 Increased levels of cycling increase the risk of harm from traffic accidents, but this increased risk is much smaller than the collective benefits to the population as a whole (Rojas-Rueda et al. 2013).
2.4 Mental health and wellbeing is also increased by cycling. For example, people who cycle to work report much lower stress levels than those who drive (Rissel et al. 2014).
2.5 The individual health and wellbeing benefits of cycling benefit the wider community economically (Deenihan & Caulfield 2014).

3 Related CAN Policies - NA

4. Literature cited:
Anon 2010: "Wider health and wellbeing impacts of transport planning", Environment Canterbury/Canterbury District Health Board/Christchurch City Council, Christchurch. 59p. Available from: http://ecan.govt.nz/publications/General/HIA%20Literature%20Review%20June%202010.pdf

Cohen JM, Boniface S, Watkins S 2014: "Health implications of transport planning, development and operations". Journal of Transport & Health 1:63-72. Abstract available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140513000169

Pucher J, Buehler R, Bassett DR, Dannenberg AL 2010: "Walking and cycling to health: a comparative analysis of city, state and international data". American Journal of Public Health 100:1986-1992. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2937005/

Rissel C, Petrunoff N, Wen LM, Crane M 2014: "Travel to work and self-reported stress: findings from a workplace survey in south-west Sydney, Australia". Journal of Transport & Health 1:50-53. Available from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221414051300008X

Rissel C, Watkins G 2014: "Impact on cycling behaviour and weight loss of a national cycling skills program (AustCycle) in Australia 2010-2013". Journal of Transport and Health 1:134-140. Available from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140514000188

Rojas-Rueda D, de Nazelle A, Taino M, Nieuwenhuilsen M 2011: "The health risks and benefits of cycling in urban environments compared with car use: health impact assessment study". British Medical Journal 343, d4521. Available from http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4521

5. Notes and History:
5.1 Policy originally drafted as the CAN Health & Fitness Policy (20/08/2008).
5.2 Reviewed and updated by the CAN Committee in September 2014.