noglider 

The article make the point that getting to work is a different focus from getting miles. When you focus on the former, the latter happens passively.

regulation

I have read this artical too. They said it is official and look promising.

TomFR

I also was surprised just how big the potential benefits are, just goes to show how little exercise the average person does.

Daniel4

There are lots of sources asserting the health benefits of cycling. So it's been known for a long long time. The only problem is that you have to be searching for them to find them.

So every once in a while a new study comes out re-affirming what a lot of people already know.

Here's a Ted Talk from 2013.

I-Like-To-Bike

I observed the same "downside of regular cycling" in myself after many decades of commuter cycling. I have no doubt a study could show an association of 60+ years of cycling (or 60+ years of ANY activity to include breathing) with hair loss, decreased eyesight, sagging skin, stiff joints and even forgetfulness.

Would such a study provide any evidence of the causal link of cycling to these effects? It is doubtful.

The point? Studies that include clickbaiting claims or headlines that commuter cycling reduces cancer risk, in the absence of any causal evidence, are probably not that worthwhile.

litieulong48

i wonder if this study controlled for the fact that people who cycle to work are likely more fit to begin with, and more likely to find some other way to exercise even if they didn't cycle to work. I.e.

Daniel4

Or some of those who cycle to work improved their health after they had made the transition. There are lots of threads in BikeForums by newbies who are overweight and got into cycling. Within weeks of receiving advice from other BF members, they show dramatic improvements in their distance and durability.

noglider 

Since Citi Bike started in NYC in 2013, I've seen an increase in the number of overweight people on bikes. I have no way of knowing if they stay overweight, since I don't track any individuals. Some heavy people are actually fit and may not look it. Whether they're fit before they start cycling, it can't be bad for them.

Also, the number of 55-and-older people on bikes is exploding, relative to previous numbers.

BobbyG

Must be riding carbon fiber bikes, because every knows CF "assplodes" (well, at least according to BSNYC).

noglider 

Not just that kind of riding. There's a lot of commuting and shopping by bike, using 3-speeds, Citi Bike, old 10-speeds, new practical bikes, whatever makes sense. Lots of people use signposts and parking meters etc to lock their bikes 24 hours a day, and there are perhaps 100 bikes per mile along the streets, maybe more. I can tell that some are not in active use, and many are. This is not the kind of place where you wave at someone because they're on a bike, because it's such a common sight.

ItsJustMe

I have moderate hypertension. If I have not ridden for 4 or 5 days, even with the lighter meds I'm on, it gets up higher than I'd like. I ride to work one day, and the next day it's down 20 points and is in a very good range. Then it starts creeping back up again.

CliffordK

It is hard to control. Plus, there are a lot of variables, such as summer only commuters, occasional commuters, "car-free" bike commuters, etc. Short distance? Long Distance? Should you just exclude those whacked by cars?

One might compare avid cyclists to avid runners, and the differences may disappear.

However, it is still quite possible that the cyclists spend more time on the road than the runners, or have more varied cardiovascular demands.

Anyway, many studies show health benefits of moderate exercise.

Personally, I find it is easier to get exercise through bike commuting than heading out for exercise alone, and thus I do it more regularly with commuting/errands.

CesarGartrell

Cycling is really good for our health. I had a problem with my health but when I started cycling It got better. Since then, I made it as a routine to ride a bike every morning. It is a good kind of exercise!

DiabloScott

Well the study was for UK... probably even worse for USA

vol

But isn't it true, as some articles had stated, that cycling does not improve bone density, while walking does?

Daniel4

That's why you should bike to the gym.