It is no secret that cycling provides health benefits, but it is amazing how just riding a bike to work offers extraordinary advantages. The Velo-city 2018 program will broadly focus on cycling as a tool for Happiness and Quality of Life. A session on Environment, Urban and Mental Health will be an opportunity to debate the impressive benefits of a bike on physical and mental stress as well as the importance of active mode of transports in our daily routines.

Do you want to give your brain and body an extra-boost every morning? No, we are not talking about increasing the amount of espressos…you should consider hopping on a bicycle. According to a research conducted by the University of Glasgow in 2017, “commuters who cycle to work have 41% lower risk of dying from all causes than people who drive or take public transport”[1]. Besides, cyclists have 46% lower risk of developing- and 52% lower risk of dying from- cardiovascular diseases. The research also demonstrates how cycling is associated to a lower risk of developing (45%) and dying (40%) from cancer[2]. In another interesting research conducted by Woodcock and colleagues in London, “they estimated that premature deaths would decrease by 528 per million people due to the health benefits of active transportation, which corresponds to a reduction of 5,496 years of life lost per million population”[3].

Still not convinced? Let’s bring to the table some more great arguments. As it is impossible to list them all in one article, we are waiting for you in Rio to learn more.

It is Good for you Brain

Scientists proved that cycling considerably improves mental functions. “People scored higher on tests of memory, reasoning, and planning after 30 minutes of spinning on a stationary bike than they did before they rode. They also completed the tests faster after pedaling”[4].

It is Good for your Lungs

Contrary to common beliefs, cyclists are exposed to less pollution than motorists. A study from the Imperial College of London show that cyclists are exposed to 1/5^th less pollution levels than people in cars[5]. Other studies have reached similar conclusions; a research from the University of Copenhagen demonstrated that “the positive health effects of increased cycling were more than a third larger than the potential loss of health from bicycle accidents and air pollution”[6].

It is Good for your Mood

While improving your capacity of thinking, cycling will also reduce your level of anxiety, which is the main factor for stress. Riding a bike every day to work stimulates the production of certain chemicals as dopamine and cannabinoids (yes, it is the same agent that can be found in Marijuana), which contributes to reduced stress and a better mood. As the writer James E Starrs said:  “melancholy is incompatible with bicycling”.

It is Good for your Sleep 

As we all know, sleeping well is fundamental for our quality of life and, ultimately, happiness. Stanford University researchers found that 20-30 minutes of cycling every day helps people with insomnia disorders to fall asleep twice as fast and increase their sleeping time by 1 hour[7].

In urban contexts, in particular, bicycles can be a key ally in order to promote healthier habits and cities. Promoting alternative modes of transport is not only a way to reduce air pollution levels, but also to reduce noise. In recent years the number of urban trips has grown steadily, but most of them are still made by car or other motorized vehicles. “Car traffic is the major source of noise in town. Noise impairs both mental and physical health [of citizens]”[8]. Excessive noise is responsible for the increase of stress level and disturbances to sleep. Cutting pollution levels by promoting cycling will result in less healthcare costs and a better quality of life. Moreover, people who cycle or walk are “more likely to be fit and less likely to be overweight or obese than those who use motorized modes”[9]. According to an article of TIME a study from 2012 demonstrated that about 5.3 million of the 57 million deaths worldwide could be attributed to inactivity. However, as stated many times in our previous articles, for encouraging people to cycle more often we need safe infrastructure and cycle education. A prime example is Denmark, where people interviewed do not consider themselves physically active, even though they ride on average 5 km per day. For them cycling is not a choice of activity but a mode of transport – an attitude of which people around the world could benefit[10].