Good day my good friend.
Rail strikes in the UK can only mean one thing. People trying out cycling as an alternative. When the biggest music festival in the country is encouraging festival goers to come by bicycle rather than the train, you know that there might be something in this.
If you have any suggestions for interesting news items or bits of research to include in this newsletter, you can email me.
You should also join a lot of like-minded people at Mobility Camp in Bristol in September. Tickets are on sale now.
James
There is a strong link between commuting and depression
As someone who has had issues with depression, this research really struck a chord with me. And hard. A big part of making our cities more equitable is about improving mental wellbeing as much as our physical wellbeing. And this research finds that as we commute further, we get depressed more. And the link is a very direct one. If this isn’t an arguement for a shorter commute and more mixed development, I don’t know what is.
Using survey data from 1,528 residents in Beijing, China, we find that every 10 additional minutes of commute time is associated with 1.1% higher probability of depression. We test for the mechanisms of the commute-depression link and find that commute is associated with depression as a direct stressor rather than triggering higher work stress.
Science finds that new parents are tired, and maybe they should drive less
Sometimes, science has to point out the obvious. And this systemic review of the literature on new parents driving does just that. Driving while tired is a major road safety issue that affects everyone. Although the evidence is limited, the researchers suggest more research in this field (I have never heard a researcher say anything other than more research, to be honest), and it suggests that new parents are an at-risk group that should be targetted for awareness campaigns and infrastructure measures.
Random things
These links are meant to make you think about the things that affect our world in transport, and not just think about transport itself. I hope that you enjoy them.
Reducing air pollution can support healthy brain development (Science Daily)
Blockchains Vulnerable to Centralized Control, DARPA Report Finds (Gizmodo)
Without Commuters, US Transit Agencies Are Running Out of Options (CityLab)
Accurate Science Reporting Influences Americans’ Climate Change Beliefs Only Briefly, Study Suggests (EcoWatch)
Something interesting
I told you. People try bikes during strikes.
If you do nothing else today, then do this
Read this World Economic Forum briefing on the Circular Economy and why it matters. Its rather good.
Mobility Matters 