According to a study conducted by the University of Glasgow, those who do cycling to work have a 47% lower risk of dying from any cause and a 51% lower risk of dying from cancer. The study also showed a 24% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 10% lower chance of needing hospital treatment for any cause among cyclists.
Cyclists were 20% less likely to be prescribed psychiatric medications such as antidepressants compared to their inactive counterparts.
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Cyclists have a lower risk of early death compared to those who commute by driving or taking the train. Bike commuters also experience a reduced risk of hospitalization for any reason.
The study followed over 82,000 UK residents aged 16 to 74 for 18 years, analyzing their commuting methods and health outcomes.
Active commuting includes walking and cycling. Inactive commuting involves driving or using public transportation.
Cyclists are typically male, younger, shift workers and city dwellers without homeownership. Pedestrian commuters are more likely to be female, younger and also city-dwelling shift workers often walking short distances to work or school.
Cycling commuters have a 51% reduced risk of dying from cancer. A 24% lower risk of hospitalization due to heart disease was observed among bike commuters.
Cyclists are 20% less likely to be prescribed medication for mental health issues. Pedestrians also benefit with a 7% lower risk of needing mental health medication.
Walking commuters have an 11% lower risk of hospital admission for any reason.
Cyclists face a higher risk of road traffic accidents. The study found that cyclists were twice as likely to be hospitalized due to road traffic collisions compared to those who drove or took public transport.
Out of 1,363 participants who cycled to work, 83 were admitted to the hospital following traffic accidents during the study period.
The research tracked 82,000 UK workers aged 16 to 74 over 17 years using data from the Scottish census and monitoring participants from 2001 to 2018.
Walking to work also showed health benefits. Walkers had an 11% lower risk of hospital admission for any cause and a 10% lower risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease.
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Lead researchers including Catherine Friel, Dr. David Walsh and Bruce Whyte addressed the importance of safer cycling infrastructure.
They stated, “Our findings provide direct evidence of the health benefits of active commuting and support policy efforts to promote cycling to work. However, the increased risk of road traffic accidents for cyclists underscores the need for safer cycling infrastructure.”
The study revealed that fewer than 5% of people in the UK cycle to work with the majority commuting by car (68%).
Smaller percentages walk (11%), take the train (9%) or use the bus (6%). During the pandemic, cycling saw an increase especially in cities like London that invested in cycle lanes.
Post-pandemic data from the Department for Transport indicates a 5% year-on-year decrease in cycling activity on roads as of September 2023 though levels remain 3% higher than pre-pandemic figures.
Cyclists were 20% less likely to be prescribed drugs for mental health problems such as anxiety and depression compared to inactive commuters.
Cyclists face double the risk of being hospitalized due to road traffic accidents compared to inactive commuters.
Participants provided information on their primary commuting method. Researchers analyzed health records including prescriptions, hospitalizations and deaths.
Census responses reflect commuting habits at only one point in time, which may not capture long-term behaviors.
Prescription data was available only from 2009 onwards limiting the scope of medication-related findings.
Pedestrian commuters are mainly female, young, and working in shifts similar to cyclists but with more likelihood of having short walking commutes.
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