Cycling to work ‘can reduce risk of premature death’

People who regularly cycle to work are less likely to die early, according to new research from the University of Glasgow.

The study analysed data from 264,337 participants in the UK Biobank project, who were asked questions about their usual mode of travelling to and from work and then followed up for five years.

Cycling to work was shown to be associated with a 45 percent lower risk of developing cancer and a 46 percent reduction in the risk of heart disease compared to a non-active commute.

Overall, commuters who cycled experienced a 41 percent lower risk of premature death, offering evidence of the benefits of projects such as cycle lanes, city bike hire programmes, subsidised cycle purchase schemes and increased provision for cycles on public transport.

Dr Jason Gill, from the university's Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, said: "These findings suggest that policies designed to make it easier for people to commute by bike … may present major opportunities for public health improvement."

It was also shown that walking to work was associated with a 27 percent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 36 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, but cancer or premature death rates were relatively unaffected.

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