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Much better CVD risk in children who cycle to school
Research published in the Journal of Physical Active Health found a consistent pa
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More support for overwhelming health benefits of cycling
There is a growing awareness that significant benefits for our health and environ
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Public health hampered by false perception of cycling risk
According to the Transport & Health Study Group (T&HSG) - the principal UK health
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Fittest children cycle to school
Children who cycle to school are more physically active and fit than those who us
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Evaluating the health benefit of helmet laws
Professor Piet de Jong of Macquarie University, Sydney had developed a model to p
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It is widely acknowledged that cycling is one of the best ways for people to achieve good health and fitness. People who cycle regularly live longer than those who do not and lead healthier lives (Paffenbarger, Hyde, Wing and Hsieh, 1986). This simple fact means that cyclists cannot possibly be more vulnerable than the population at large to life-threatening injuries such as head injury.
Indeed, cycling regularly to work (and, by extension, to school and on other regular journeys) has been shown to be the most effective thing an individual can do to improve health and increase longevity, and this applies even to people who are already active in sport and other physical activities (Andersen, Schnohr, Schroll and Hein, 2000). Cyclists typically have a level of fitness equivalent to being 10 years younger (Tuxworth, Nevill, White and Jenkins, 1986). A UK parliamentary health committee has noted:
“If the Government were to achieve its target of trebling cycling in the period 2000-2010 … that might achieve more in the fight against obesity than any individual measure we recommend within this report.” (TSO 2004)
The health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks (BMA, 1992) by a substantial margin.
Estimated benefit:cost ratios range from 13:1 to 415:1 – see table below. Some estimates take account not only of crashes, but also of the effects of air-borne pollution. While the pollutant effects are clearly relevant to an analysis of the overall health impacts of measures which increase or decrease cycle use, they are not relevant to the consideration of the point at which helmet policies do more harm than good.
|
Authors (date) |
Location(s) |
Basis for comparison |
Headline findings |
Health benefit : injury reduction disbenefit |
|
Great Britain |
Ratio of life-years gained through health benefits of cycling v life years lost to cycling injuries |
Health related life-years gained outweigh injury-related life-years lost by 20:1 |
20:1 |
|
|
Netherlands |
Gains and losses per person per annum for adults aged 18-64 who switch a regular car commute to cycling. Weighs up life-years gained per year through health benefits of cycling, versus life years lost to cycling injuries and pollution. |
Average mortality gains/ losses:
Summarised here. |
245 : 7 = 35:1 (N.B. with pollution disbenefits to individuals, ratio is c9:1. However this omits pollution benefits to society) |
|
|
London (the study also considers Delhi) |
Various sustainable travel scenarios, one of which (“increased active travel”) is a doubling of walking and an 8-fold increase in cycling, with corresponding reductions in car use. Weighs up both mortality effects and “disability adjusted life years” (DALY) effects per million of population due to increased physical activity, injuries and pollution; also the societal benefits of reduced pollution and CO2 emissions. |
Impacts per million population annually under the “increased active travel” scenario in London:
Summarised here. |
Ratio for mortality: 5496 : 418 = 13:1
Ratio for DALYs: 7742 : 519 = 15:1
(N.B. Including pollution effects to individuals and society makes little difference to these ratios). |
|
|
Data from several EU cities |
Considers annual value of mortality benefits and disbenefits for each individual who switches a regular short (5km one-way) car commute to cycling. Weighs up life-years gained per year through health benefits of cycling, versus life years lost to cycling injuries and pollution, also societal benefits of reduced pollution. |
Ave. annual value of benefits per person switching from car to cycle
See Table 5 of report. |
1310 : 53 = 24:1 (N.B. ratio including pollution effects to individuals and society is c19:1). |
|
|
Barcelona |
Calculates the overall mortality-related impacts of Barcelona’s “BICING” hire-bike scheme in terms of life-years gained through health benefits of scheme-users switching from car travel to cycling, versus life years lost to cycling injuries and pollution. Also considers CO2 savings. |
Life years gained and lost annually by BICING scheme users:
Summarised here. |
12.46 : 0.03 = 415:1 (N.B. ratio including pollution effects to individuals is 77:1. Pollutant effects to society not assessed). |
Safe though cycling is by comparison with other common activities, it has been shown that cycling becomes safer still the more people who do it (Jacobsen, 2003; Robinson, 2005b)
However, the converse of the above is also true. If fewer people cycle, perhaps because they have been deterred by cycle helmet laws or the exaggerated claims sometimes made to promote helmet wearing, then the health loss to both individuals and society is considerable, whilst those who continue to cycle will be at greater risk through loss of 'safety in numbers'. It is likely that few people who quit cycling recover the loss of health benefits through other activity.
Froböse, 2004
Cavill and Davis, 2007
Below are summarised some of the health benefits of cycling, for the individual and society as a whole. Many of the benefits are not unique to cycling but are a consequence of moderate physical activity. In several cases, however, cycling enables that benefit to be achieved more easily, more widely or more effectively.
This should not be regarded as an authoritative treatment of the subject, relying as it does on the primary sources (Froböse, 2004; Cavill and Davis, 2007) referenced below. Those sources provide much more detailed information and full references.
The immune system serves to protect the body from infections and diverse systemic diseases. Studies show that moderate activity, such as cycling, strengthens the immune system and thus contributes to a healthy life. It can also increase activity against tumour cells, assisting the prevention of related illnesses.
Humans have several hundred muscles, which have to be used regularly in order to maintain fitness and health. A week of inactivity reduces the strength of the muscular system by up to 50% and can harm them long-term. This is particularly true for older people as aging causes muscles to shrink.
During cycling, most of the body's muscles are activated. The leg muscles are responsible for the pedalling movement; the abdomen and back muscles stabilise the body on the cycle and cushion external influences; and the shoulder-arm muscular system supports the body at the handlebars. All this trains and tightens up the muscular system, making it stronger and able to function efficiently.
This is the body's supporting framework, held together by muscles, tendons and ligaments. Exercise and the accompanying strain on the skeletal system strengthens it and increases mobility. Cycling has a positive effect on bone density and strength. Moreover, a muscular system strengthened by cycling supports and protects the skeletal system.
Posture when cycling is optimum, and the cyclic movement of the legs stimulates muscles in the lower back, where slipped discs are most likely to occur. In this way the spine is strengthened and secured against external stresses. In particular cycling can stimulate the small muscles of the vertebrae which are difficult to affect through other exercise. This can help reduce the likelihood of back pains and other problems.
Cycling is especially good at protecting and feeding cartilages as the support given by the bicycle means that the forces that act as a result of body weight are significantly reduced. The circular movement of cycling assists the transport of energy and other metabolic produces to the cartilages, reducing the likelihood of arthrosis.
Physical activity serves as a regulator to relieve the stress that is common in current lifestyles. It produces the balance between exertion and relaxation which is so important for the body's inner equilibrium. Cycling is especially ideal for this process, countering stress in two ways: by satisfying the need for activity where people lack movement or exercise; and by balancing out increased strain, particularly mental and emotional.
Cycling has a considerable relaxing effect due to its uniform, cyclic movement which stablises the physical and emotional functions of the body. This counteracts anxiety, depression and other psychological problems. The exercise also controls hormonal balance.
Oxygen is vital for all biological organisms and the basic prerequisite for the respiratory processes of humans. Respiration is often impaired by adiposity and lack of exercise. Among other things, regular physical activity strengthens the respiratory muscles, which leads to improved ventilation of the lungs and thus has a positive effect on oxygen exchange. Enormous positive health effects can be achieved in energy uptake and processing, through moderate cycling.
The heart is one of the most important organisms for a healthy life but can be damaged by inactivity. Cycling is ideal for training the heart to be stronger which results in less stress of the heart. All the risk factors that lead to a heart attack are reduced and regular cycling reduces the likelihood of heart attack by more than 50%.
Cycling is ideal for targeting these problems as 70% of the body's weight is borne by the saddle, thus enabling people who could not otherwise move easily to exercise to increase their physical fitness and stimulate fat metabolism. Cycling also contributes to weight reduction by burning energy.
Cycling can train the organism to use up fat reserves and also changes the cholesterol balance, favouring the protective kind over that which is threatening to health. As body weight reduces and cholesterol is optimised, a protective mechanism is enabled by continuing to cycle. Regular exercise during youth is a prevention factor against excessive body weight in adults.
Moderate cycling can prevent, or at least reduce, high blood pressure and so help to avoid stroke or damage to the organs. Blood pressure is also reduced by a lower heart rate, which is a result of regular cycling.
Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of colon, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers, and possibly lung and endometrial cancers too.
Cycling is especially good for aerobic exercise as the strain on the body is less than in other endurance sports. Improved stamina reduces tiredness and fatigue and promotes a sense of well-being..
Beauty and attractiveness are much linked to body shape and condition. Cycling can positively influence these by controlling body weight and muscular form. Skin also benefits from the metabolic processes that are stimulated. In addition, cycling affects physical feeling which influences the perception of others.
In addition to regular moderate exercise, the body benefits from more demanding activity from time to time, which improves fitness and provides greater diversion from everyday problems. Cycling can provide more intensive activity as easily as by pedalling faster or harder.
Physical activity has a direct effect on well-being and health. Cycling has numerous advantages that can directly affect quality of life, as it provides benefits both physically and emotionally. Regular exercise, taken as an integral part of daily life, is needed to permanently enhance the quality of life.
More cycling, especially as an alternative to motor vehicle travel, would bring substantial health benefits for society as a whole due to improved air quality, reduced noise and danger, and greater independence for children.
Andersen, Schnohr, Schroll and Hein, 2000
Andersen LB, Schnohr P, Schroll M, Hein HO, 2000. All-cause mortality associated with physical activity during leisure time, work, sports, and cycling to work. Arch Intern Med 2000 Jun 12;160(11):1621-8.
Cycling towards health and safety. British Medical Association ISBN 0-19-286151-4.1992.
Cavill N, Davis A, 2007. Cycling and Health: what's the evidence?. Cycling England . 
de Hartog, Boogaard, Nijland and Hoek, 2010
de Hartog JJ, Boogaard H, Nijland H, Hoek G, 2010. Do the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks?. Environmental Health Perspectives doi: 10.1289/ehp.0901747.
Froböse I, 2004. Cycling and health compendium. Wellcom / Selle .
Hillman M, 1992. Cycling and the promotion of health. PTRC 20th Summer Annual Meeting Seminar B, pp 25-36.
Jacobsen PL, 2003. Safety in numbers: more walkers and bicyclists, safer walking and bicycling. Injury Prevention 2003;9:205-209.
Paffenbarger, Hyde, Wing and Hsieh, 1986
Paffenbarger RS, Hyde RT, Wing AL, Hsieh CC, 1986. Physical activity, all-cause mortality, and longevity of college alumni. New England Journal of Medicine 1986;314:605-613.
Rabl A, de Nazelle A, 2011. Benefits of shift from car to active transport. Transport Policy .
Robinson DL, 2005. Safety in numbers in Australia: more walkers and bicyclists, safer walking and bicycling. Health Promotion Journal of Australia 2005;16:47-51.
Rojas-Rueda D, de Nazelle A, Tainio M, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, 2011. The health risks and benefits of cycling in urban environments compared with car use: health impact assessment study. British Medical Journal BMJ 2011; 343:d4521 .
Parliamentary Health Select Committee report on obesity. The Stationery Office, HC23-1, May 2004. Paragraph 316, page 83..
Tuxworth, Nevill, White and Jenkins, 1986
Tuxworth W, Nevill AM, White C, Jenkins C, 1986. Health, fitness, physical activity and morbidity of middle aged male factory workers. British Journal of Industrial Medicine 1986 Nov;43(11):733-53.
Woodcock J, Edwards P, Tonne C, Armstrong BG, Ashiru O, Banister D, Beevers S, Chalabi Z, et al, 2009. Public health benefits of strategies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions: urban land transport. The Lancet 2009;374(9705):1930-1943.