Cycling can be a great way to stay healthy, but try to cycle as far away from motorised traffic as possible. The air can be extremely polluted right next to motorised traffic. This was shown in measurements taken by the Clean Air Action Group (CAAG), which also produced a video about it.

In an urban environment with relatively clean air, there are around 3,000 ultrafine particles per cubic centimetre of air – the volume of a sugar cube. These extremely tiny particles, 10-100 nanometres (1 millimetre = 1 million nanometres) in diameter, come mainly from motor vehicles during the non-heating season. Although there is no official limit on particle number concentrations, recent research shows that even relatively low concentrations can cause serious health effects over the longer term.

CAAG staff measured particle concentrations by cycling along different routes. The measurement showed that passing old diesel cars or trucks, the number of particles reached between 110 and 140 thousand. Away from the traffic, the number of particles dropped significantly, and was particularly low in green areas, along the waterfront and in quiet little streets in residential areas.

“During breathing, tiny particles first enter the lungs and then spread through the body, entering the bloodstream, causing inflammation, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. That is why we recommend cycling or walking as far away from busy roads as possible,” said Judit Szegő, environmental scientist and project leader of the Clean Air Action Group.

“In order to get cyclists away from pollution caused by motor vehicle traffic, bike lanes should be created in place of car lanes in more and more places, such as on the Kossuth Lajos utca-Rákóczi út axis or (after the metro renovation) on Üllői út. If someone tries to cycle on these roads now, they can only do so directly next to cars. However, if a car lane is freed up, cyclists can move 2-3 metres away from cars (a car lane is usually 3 m wide). However, it is also very urgent to reduce overall motor vehicle traffic, as this would allow everyone to breathe cleaner air in the city” - added András Lukács, CAAG’s President.