Health Benefits of Cycling
Cycling is a low-impact form of exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, including those with physical limitations. It’s reasonably affordable – organizations like SABA donate bikes to those with limited incomes – and it’s fun and benefits the environment.
You can reap the benefits of cycling while riding to work or school or when running errands, as well as riding for recreation and enjoying the outdoors, especially while riding along the Sacramento and American Rivers.
Physical Health Benefits
- Improves cardiovascular fitness in youth and older adults
- Reduces mortality from cancer in middle-aged to older adults
- Helps decrease body fat levels, reducing obesity-related disease
- Builds stamina
- Improves muscle strength and flexibility
- Improves joint mobility
Addressing Specific Health Concerns
Cardiovascular disease
Regular cycling strengthens your heart muscles and reduces blood fat levels, reducing your risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. According to some research, people who cycle to work have less exposure to pollution than people who drive, improving their lung function.
Cancer
The relationship between exercise and cancer has been studied extensively and it has been shown that exercise, including cycling, reduces the chance of getting colon and breast cancer in particular.
Diabetes
One of the leading causes of Type 2 diabetes is lack of exercise. Research conducted in Finland found that people who cycled every day had a 40% less risk of developing diabetes.
Bones and Arthritis
Because cycling is low-impact form of exercise, it does not help with osteoporosis but it does improve strength and balance which leads to fewer falls and fractures. Cycling also a good exercise for those with osteoarthritis because it does not put a lot of stress on the joints.
Disability
Many people with physical and visual impairments or who are recovering from a condition such as a stroke are able to cycle by using adapted bicycles and tricycles (such as hand cycles), e-bikes, and tandem bikes. Even if someone is not able to cycle, they can enjoy the benefits of being outdoors using a wheelchair bike that is operated by a able-bodied cyclist.
Mental Health Benefits
- Stress relief: Cycling, as well as other types of exercise, can reduce the levels of stress hormones in your body, making you feel more relaxed.
- Mood Improvement: the release of endorphins during exercise can make you feel better and lift your mood. Knowing that you did something good for yourself and the environment can also improve your mood.
- Being Outdoors: Biking in nature can help you connect with the environment and help you feel less stressed. You have an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the world around you.
- Community: Cycling gives you the opportunity to participate in group rides and connect with other cyclists. Socializing and cultivating new relationships is good for your mental health and makes you feel more connected to the community you live in.
Resources
- Health benefits of cycling: a systematic review, Eds: P Oja 1, S Titze, A Bauman, B de Geus, P Krenn, B Reger-Nash, T Kohlberger, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, April 18, 2011: A systematic review of the literature resulted in 16 cycling-specific studies.
- 5 Mental Health Benefits of Riding Your Bike, by Marlee Townsend, The League of American Bicyclists, May 24, 2024
- Cycling - health benefits, Better Health Channel, Victoria State Government Department of Health
- Cycling and Older Adults: Insights from the 50+ Cycling Survey, by Carol Kachadoorian, CalBike, October 23, 2024
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