Can green cycling paths reduce commuter exposure to ultrafine particles? A repeated measures study in Copenhagen, Denmark

Bibliographic Data

ID21234833
AuthorsGonzalo B Hevia-Ramos (University of Copenhagen, corresponding author), George Napolitano (0000-0002-1197-2599, University of Copenhagen), Marie L Bergmann, Marie Bergmann (0000-0001-5743-5564, University of Copenhagen), Jiawei Zhang (0000-0002-9202-0070), Steffen Loft (0000-0001-9552-8518, University of Copenhagen), Zorana J Andersen (University of Copenhagen), Youn-Hee Lim (University of Copenhagen), Tom Cole‐Hunter (0000-0002-6827-6084, University of Copenhagen), Stéphane Tuffier (0000-0003-1969-2070, University of Copenhagen, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume148
Pages107649
Publication date2026-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSustainable Cities and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2210-6707 • E-ISSN: 2210-6715
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.scs.2026.107649
OpenAlexW7165537576
LanguageEN
References cited41

Background In urban environments, road traffic is the primary source of ultrafine particle (UFP) exposure. Cycling along green paths, away from traffic, may reduce commute-related air pollution exposure. This study quantifies commuter exposure to UFP in urban environments and the potential reduction when cycling on green paths. Methods Over six weeks (February-March 2024), 40 cycling trips were performed on a fixed 8.3 km route (∼35 minutes) in Copenhagen during rush-hour (07:45 h45h) and non-rush-hour (09:45 h). UFP in terms of particle number concentration (PNC) and geolocation were measured using a DiSCmini and GPS watch. We divided the route into the following segments: green cycling path, low traffic street, moderate traffic street, high traffic street. Generalized additive mixed models were used to compare average PNC levels across segments accounting for confounding factors such as meteorological factors and rush hours. Results Trip-mean PNC was ∼10,000 pt/cm 3 , ranging from ∼2200 to ∼25,000 pt/cm 3 . PNC varied substantially by location: highest levels were observed in high (mean (SD) of 11,460 (11,792) pt/cm 3 ) and moderate traffic (12,796 (10,433) pt/cm 3 ) segments and lowest levels along the green path (5,849 (5,380) pt/cm 3 ). After adjusting for confounders, cycling on the green path reduced by 32% to 50% PNC compared to higher-traffic segments (moderate traffic: rate ratio (RR) 0.68, 95% CI 0.62–0.76; high traffic RR 0.56 (95% CI 0.50, 0.62)). Conclusions Green cycling infrastructure can significantly reduce UFP exposure, supporting prioritizing investment in green cycling infrastructures as a public health intervention to protect active commuters in cities

Cycling · Data collection · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Urban Green Space and Health · Urban Transport and Accessibility