Spatial Variations

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The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a spatial variation in the amount of cycling undertaken in Melbourne, Australia and what the health and cost implications might be of such a variation. Survey data collected by Bicycle Network was used and analysed on a postcode by postcode basis for those who lived within 10km and beyond 10km of the centre of Melbourne. The results showed that the average amount of time cycling for those who cycled in the past week was almost exactly the same at approximately 5 hours for those within and beyond 10km of the centre. However, the number of people who cycled within 10km was much greater. The per capita rate of cycling was calculated and compared for the two areas with people within the 10km being nearly four times as likely to cycle as those beyond 10km. The annual health costs of physical inactivity are discussed with the potential for cycling to meet the recommended levels of physical activity. From this it was estimated that if the rate of cycling beyond 10km in Melbourne was equal to that within 10km it is estimated this would save $550million per annum in prevented health costs due to meeting and exceeding physical activity guidelines. However, if the spatial variation of cycling continues is likely to may lead to a spatial variation in physical activity with increased health …show more content…

Children and young people undertake more physical activity than adults. The AHS Found toddlers and pre-school age children (2-4 years old) had on average roughly 6 hours of physical activity, whereas 5-17 year olds undertook approximately one and a half hours. Children and young people recorded an average of 9,140 steps per day with children aged 5–8 and 9–11 years were most likely to reach 12,000 steps per day (22% and 24% respectively), while 15–17 year olds were least likely to (7%) (ABS,

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