United Kingdom/England: Brighton and Hove values a Cycling Town

Brighton and Hove is a local authority in East Sussex, England. It is England's most populous seaside resort with a total population of 273 400. The city was part of the joint WHO/EC project on promoting networking and action on healthy and equitable environments for physical activity (PHAN) which ran from February 2010 to January 2013.

Throughout England, the Cycling Towns programme has provided funding to increase levels of cycling in selected towns and cities. In Brighton and Hove, staff from the local authority and National Health Service used the HEAT to explore the potential health economic benefits that would be gained through involvement in the programme.

Existing cycle count data were used for the 2006–2010 period, and assumptions were made regarding the average days cycled per year and the average duration per cycle trip.

The results showed a 30% increase in the number of cyclists from 2007–2010. The HEAT calculated that this led to an average annual benefit, averaged across 10 years, of £220 000 (€248 000).

Assessments were also made for a projected increase in the number of cyclists of 260%, and an increase in the duration and frequency of their cycling, resulting in economic benefits of up to £6.25 million.

The economic assessment provided by the HEAT was reported to have been very well-received, and the tool was further used in the business case for a new traffic calming scheme for both walking and cycling.