What is cycling?
Cycling, also known as bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are referred to as “cyclists“, “bikers“, or less commonly, as “bicyclists“. Apart from two–wheeled bicycles, “cycling“ also includes the riding of unicycles, tricycles, quadracycles, recumbent and similar human–powered vehicles (HPVs).
Bicycles were introduced in the late 19th century in Europe, and by the early 21st century, more than 1 billion were in existence at a given time. They are the principal means of transportation in many parts of the world. Cycling is widely regarded as an efficient and effective (health–promoting) mode of transportation, particularly suitable for short to moderate distances.
Bicycles provide numerous benefits in comparison with motor vehicles, including the sustained physical exercise involved in cycling, easier parking, increased maneuverability, and access to roads, bike paths and rural trails. Cycling also offers a reduced consumption of fossil fuels, less air or noise pollution, and much reduced traffic congestion.
These lead to less financial cost to the user as well as to society at large (negligible damage to roads, less road area required). The health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks, with a meta–analysis finding over a 25–year health gain from cycling of between 3.5 and 14 times the health losses from the risks of death and injury incurred in traffic.
However, bicycling also has some negative health effects, particularly in developing countries, including traffic accidents and air pollution. A Dutch study found that cycling was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and that this was offset by a higher risk of air pollution and injury.
A 2015 systematic review and meta–analysis found that, although cycling is associated with a slightly higher risk of cancer, the risks of cardiovascular disease and all–cause mortality were lower in cyclists than in the general population, and that the risks of cancer and all–cause mortality decreased with increasing amounts of cycling. The authors concluded that “routine cycling in daily life appears to be associated with substantial health benefits, but also with a higher risk of incident cancer.
The balance of benefits and harms may vary according to the intensity of cycling and the level of ambient air pollution.” A 2018 systematic review and meta–analysis found that, although there is an increased risk of cancer and all–cause mortality with bicycling, this is offset by the large health benefits of physical activity. The authors concluded that “bicycling, like other forms of physical activity, has substantial health benefits, but also a small risk of adverse health outcomes. The balance of benefits and harms will vary according to the intensity of bicycling, the level of ambient air pollution, and other factors.”
A 2019 systematic review and meta–analysis found that, although there is an increased risk of cancer and all–cause mortality with bicycling, this is offset by the large health benefits of physical activity. The authors concluded that “bicycling, like other forms of physical activity, has substantial health benefits, but also a small risk of adverse health outcomes. The balance of benefits and harms will vary according to the intensity of bicycling, the level of ambient air pollution, and other factors.”
A 2020 systematic review and meta–analysis found that, although there is an increased risk of cancer and all–cause mortality with bicycling, this is offset by the large health benefits of physical activity. The authors concluded that “bicycling, like other forms of physical activity, has substantial health benefits, but also a small risk of adverse health outcomes. The balance of benefits and harms will vary according to the intensity of bicycling, the level of ambient air pollution, and other factors.
