It’s time to don the Lycra, find your helmet and get back in the saddle because new research shows cycling to work could help you live longer. A five-year study by Glasgow University suggests riding a bike could cut the risk of getting cancer and heart disease by almost half.
Scientists at the university found workers who cycle have a 45% lower risk of developing cancer and a 46% lower risk of heart disease compared to commuters who drove to work or used public transport. Its analysis, which monitored 264,337 participants, also said that commuters who cycled were associated with a 41% lower risk of premature death.
Those who preferred walking to wheels also felt the benefit, recording a 27% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 36% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
More than 760,000 commuters now cycle to work after local authorities were encouraged to improve bike lanes and parking bays. The success of Team GB at successive Olympic Games is also thought to have encouraged more people to cycle.
In cities, the number of cycling commuters has rocketed in recent years with London alone recording a 155% increase on the decade before with huge rises also seen in urban areas including Brighton, Bristol, Manchester and Newcastle.
Cycling to work could be a life changing decision. You don’t have to be Jason or Laura Kenny to get the most out of cycling and riding to work is great way to get fit, be healthy and if you work in a city, beat the traffic and avoid cramped train carriages.
Cycle to work scheme
Not everyone is a member at a gym or plays sport and cycling is great entry activity to a healthier lifestyle. That’s why Randstad has its own cycle to work scheme, to promote a healthy workforce.
One excuse for not cycling could be the lack of changing facilities but most modern offices today have showers and failing that there’s always the option of pedalling a little slower on the way in!
