The Benefits Of Cycling To Work

It’s no secret that cycling often is great for you physically and mentally. One study, particularly of commuters on bicycles, found that cycling to work can reduce the chance of developing heart disease and cancer by 45%. Researchers studied 260,000 people over a five-year period, looking at their health and outcomes. It found that people who cycle to work tend to live longer and have a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.  

Although physical activity is not as intense as cycling and commuting on foot, it does not usually cover as much distance as cycling, but the benefits are as great for people walking to or from work as for those cycling, the researchers say.
 
Are there any financial benefits? 
Aside from the initial cost of the bike, cycling to work is extremely cost efficient! You would have no car repairs, petrol or bus fares to pay. As well as this, if you live in the UK, cycling can also help you save through the government's Cycle to Work scheme. 

This is a scheme that encourages people to ride more bikes by allowing employers to pay tax - free benefits for their bike safety equipment. Despite all the benefits of cycling to work, many employers do not offer incentives for biking to work, for example by not offering the commuter allowance.  

Socio-economic benefits of cycling. 
Riding a bike to work instead of driving helps to improve economic well-being - including that of those around you. Cycling also benefits mothers - with experts saying it helps women give birth more easily, recovers faster and lifts overall mood during pregnancy, with limitations of course. If you are pregnant you should seek advice from a medical professional first.  

Cycling to school or work can also help improve your environmental health. Studies have also shown that cycling to work increases your cardiovascular fitness by 3-7%. As an added bonus, cycling can also boost metabolism, build muscle and get you off your bike.  

Cycling literally boosts your life expectancy! 
Given the above-mentioned health benefits, it should come as no surprise that cycling also increases life expectancy. Cycling just 20 miles a week can cut the risk of heart disease by 50%, according to the British Medical Association. It is said to lower the risk of heart disease by less than exercise.  

However, the years of life gained annually due to the health benefits of cycling are weighed against the losses from injury and pollution caused by cycling. But on a more positive note, according to a study by the British Medical Association, the years gained per year outweigh the years lost through cycling, injury, pollution, etc.  

Does cycling provide significant health benefits? 
The health benefits of cycling are considerable and have been linked to lower blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, cardiovascular benefits for cyclists have been shown to be equally strong, as they are less likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes and heart failure than non-cyclists.  
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After all, cycling is a great source of exercise for the NHS in the UK, which reports that cyclists have the highest levels of physical activity among all groups of people in terms of fitness and fitness.  

Among the health benefits of regular cycling is the fact that it can improve physical and mental health and reduce the likelihood of many health problems. This is important because it means that even if you don't live close enough to ride the whole route, your health will still benefit because you can cycle part of the day.  

Mental wellbeing benefits of cycling. 
Since people generally enjoy cycling more than other forms of exercise, cycling can make it easier to increase the distance over time. Cycling can take you from point A to point B by moving moderately and creating a mental balance.  

On average, an hour of cycling is about half of the health benefits that most people gain from exercise. If you can't ride for an hour, a 15-minute bike ride a day is a good way to stay healthy. If you cycle to work once a week and then add extra days as your stamina increases, you don't have to worry about the long-term health effects of cycling on your commute. 
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About the Author
Prior to becoming an online article writer for Technical Writers, Cooper took the opportunity to explore the digital world with a range of academic and health and safety training courses. His first hand experience within the tech industry, in addition to his degree in English Literature, cemented his career in creating content regarding all things marketing and technology.