The average daily benefit of an individual’s commute is estimated by
multiplying the total per-kilometre net benefits by the average number of
kilometres traveled each day (two trips of 3.067km each), as estimated by Larsen
et al. (2010). The daily benefits from one person switching from car travel to
bicycle travel for commuting are estimated to be $2.14. Using Environment
Canada data and estimates from Brandenburg et al. (2007), the number of
cycling-friendly days in 2012 is found to be 118 days. Therefore, it is estimated that the bicycle lanes will be in use for 118 days a year on average. By
multiplying 118 days by average daily benefits of $2.14, the annual benefit per
person of switching from car to bicycle is estimated to be $252.61.
To find the annual benefits from installing the bicycle lanes, it is assumed
that the installation of bicycle lanes will increase bicycle commuting. As Table 3
shows, currently there are 15,465 residents of Truro whose primary mode of
transportation to work is driving a motor vehicle, and 110 people use a bicycle
for their daily commute.