An article in the New Zealand journal Environmental Health Perspectives examines the societal costs and benefits of commuter bicycling.  Using system dynamic modeling, the study simulates the effects of specific policies on bicycle commuting. The objective of the study was to identify policies that increase bicycle commuting in car-dominated cities.

The study concludes that – for the city of Auckland, New Zealand – the plan to develop a regional cycle network would likely have benefits but would not reverse the predicted business-as-usual increased rate of cycling injuries. In contrast, a gradual transformation of the all roads using best practice arterial and local street interventions (i.e. a Complete Streets approach) could make a major contribution to regional transportation targets for cycling and other modes. The study's projections suggest that this transition would be cost-effective, returning tens of dollars in benefits for every dollar spent.