This study aimed to investigate various aspects of cyclist exposure to common urban air pollutants, including CO, PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0 and UFPs. The initial part of the study compared cyclist exposure to that of other transport modes, while the second part addressed the implications of route choice. The final part analysed the effect of proximity to traffic.

Data was collected in Christchurch and Auckland cities over a nine week period, with a total of 53 inter-modal and 7 separate cyclist sampling runs completed. Mobile sampling was conducted using a collection of instruments in four portable kits. Fixed-site meteorological data was used to find associations between pollutants and temperature and wind speed. Spatial patterns were also considered by means of time-series comparative graphs and colour-coded pollutant concentration GPS mapping. The cyclist mode was up to 61% less exposed than the car for primary pollutants (CO and UFPs), but up to 26% more exposed for PM1.0-10. The bus was generally the most exposed for all pollutants apart from CO. The effect of route choice was substantial, with the off-road cyclist route recording a reduction of 31% for CO and PM1.0, and 53% for UFPs while PM10 was 6%. At a distance of 7 m from traffic, exposure dropped by 30% (UFPs), 22% (CO) and 14% (PM2.5). At 19 m, concentrations decreased a further 17%, 13% and 8%, respectively. When moving much further away from traffic (~700 m), the effect was far less pronounced and no difference was observed for CO past 19 m.

Conclusions suggest that for most pollutants studied, the cyclist mode faces much lower exposure than other modes, especially when traveling through backstreets and cycle tracks. Significant exposure reductions can also be made when only a very small distance away from traffic emissions. This has positive implications for health, sustainable city planning and active-mode transport promotion.