Rethinking Transport for Recovery, Resilience and Health

Transport behaviours have changed dramatically as a result of COVID-19, and many jurisdictions are leveraging the health benefits of active transport (public transport, cycling and walking) to support and strengthen community responses to COVID.

The Tasmanian Active Living Coalition and the Health by Stealth research team at Menzies Institute for Medical Research co-hosted an event to rethink transport for recovery, resilience and health in Tasmania.

We were joined by international, national and local experts.

Professor Sallis presented a study of 48,440 COVID patients that found ‘inactive patients’ had a higher risk for all severe outcomes than any CDC risk factors besides age and history of transplant. Inactivity represented a higher risk factor than obesity, heart disease, or cancer.

We also heard from Luke Poland and Oscar Hayes from City of Melbourne and Fiona Campbell from City of Sydney planners who have expedited active transport infrastructure to promote uptake of active modes of transport during COVID-19. Both cities reported a boom in cycling and and increased perceptions of safety for cyclists.

Associate Professor Verity Cleland presented Tasmanian research that tested the effects of initiatives to increase physical activity associated with public transport use. The study found some evidence to support incentives to change transport behaviors, however, public transport use reduced dramatically during COVID-19.