Slow mobility & medicine: A critical review

Becky P.Y. Loo and Ting Lian

Social Science & Medicine, 2025, vol. 382, issue C

Abstract: This critical review examines the complex interplay between slow mobility modes—specifically walking, cycling, and micromobility—and their associated health and environmental impacts. It is timely in view of various global initiatives to promote walkability and cyclability, and a paradigm shift towards people-oriented transport systems. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we selected 458 papers and conducted detailed content analysis. The paper first identifies key themes related to risk and benefits, pinpointing traffic crashes as the key risk and enhanced physical and mental health, as well as increased accessibility, as key benefits. Secondly, it examines the main scope, revealing a focus on the general population rather than vulnerable groups. Geographically, there is a concentration of studies in Europe, North America, and East Asia, with under-representations in other regions. Lastly, common features and relationships are examined through a co-occurrence network analysis. The review underscores the need for targeted research and policy interventions not only to address the full range of health risk but also to enhance diverse benefits of slow mobility.

Keywords: Active transport; Walking; Cycling; Micromobility; Risk; Benefit; Health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118347

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