Paediatricians use medical instruments daily. Whether it is a simple stethoscope or a sophisticated mechanical ventilator, but I am indebted to Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Head of Climate Change and Health at WHO Headquarters, for relating the bicycle to a medical instrument.
Last October, we cycled with Ride for Their Lives from Geneva to Milan, with Heather Lambert, consultant paediatric nephrologist recently retired but developing dialysis technology for small infants, and Mark Hayden, paediatric intensivist.
Milan was the home of Eduardo Bianchi, whom most cycling enthusiasts will recognise was the creator of those celeste turquoise coloured racing bikes. But what many do not know was that alongside penny-farthings in his workshop, Bianchi made and sold medical instruments. He went onto develop bicycles that are more familiar to us – with equal sized wheels and pneumatic tyres. In supplying these to cycling competitions, his empire was born.
Milan has some of the worst air quality in Europe. Heavily industrialised and with intensive livestock farming, the city sits on a plain with the Alps to the north restricting air flow. However, we met people from several initiatives: at a primary school campaigning for street closures so that children can walk or cycle to school without exposure to vehicle emissions; a public meeting with scientists, clinicians and activists promoting active travel infrastructure; and finally a community cargo bike cooperative.
We followed these cheerful optimistic people criss-crossing through the noisy traffic madness and tram tracks that make up Milan and it reminded us how it is almost impossible to have road rage whilst cycling and how active travel would reduce unhealthy noise pollution for all.
As we become an increasingly urban species, the humble bicycle contributes to our wellbeing in a myriad of ways and, through less use of fossil fuels, as an instrument against climate change.
Ride for Their Lives (RFTL) started in the run-up to COP26 where children’s healthcare professionals cycled from London to Glasgow to deliver to the world leaders two documents: The Healthy Climate Prescription, and The Health Argument for Climate Action by the WHO. These documents were enclosed in The Blue Bag, with messages from children to policymakers written on the outside. The Blue Bag symbolises our mission to advocate for children and it goes on the major RFTL rides and has been in in the hands of those with power at COP26 and COP27, on the ride to Napoli, and round London’s expanded ULEZ perimeter.
Heather carried The Blue Bag by bike from Newcastle to Glasgow, helped along the way by RFTL friends and supporters including doctors of all grades and a medical student. It provided a focus for constructive conversation and community in the face of the climate crisis. Riders setting off from Falkirk arrived in Glasgow on the eve of the RCPCH Conference, to a greeting by families cycling home from school with ice lollies for us. Heather spoke about the RFTL story in this video, and the work by the College on climate change was recognised.
And we celebrated another very powerful instrument: the collective voice of paediatricians.
You too can get involved! Whether you're an experienced cyclist or new to two wheels, join an upcoming ride or set one up yourself. More about getting involved with Ride for their Lives