CYCLING to work cuts the risk of developing heart disease and cancer almost in half, new research suggests.
Scientists found that those who took a bike to their jobs found had a 45 per cent lower risk of developing cancer and a 46 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those who drove or took public transport.
The study focussed on 264,337 people, 52 per cent of whom were women. Data from their daily commutes revealed that overall, cyclists had a 41 per cent lower risk of premature death from any cause.
Walking to work was also associated with a 27 per cent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 36 per cent lower risk of dying from it.
But there was no link with a lower risk of cancer or dying early from any cause in walkers, the study found.
The University of Glasgow experts behind the study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), said the lower benefits seen for walking compared to cycling could be down to several factors.
These include the fact cyclists covered longer distances in their commutes than the walkers, cycling is a higher intensity exercise and cyclists were generally more fit.
Dr Carlos Celis-Morales, from the University of Glasgow, said: "Walking to work was associated with lower risk of heart disease, but unlike cycling was not associated with a significantly lower risk of cancer or overall death.
"This may be because walkers commuted shorter distances than cyclists, typically six miles per week, compared with 30 miles per week, and walking is generally a lower intensity of exercise than cycling."
Scottish cycling legend Mark Beaumont, who this week completed a 14-day cycle around Britain, said that the study came as no surprise.
He said: "We are constantly bombarded with research which shows the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.
"The cool thing about riding a bike is that it's not just a sport, it's something that gets you to work or gets you out with friends.
"What we need now is a culture change that gets more people onto bikes and out of cars."
Campaigners have said that the research should encourage people to be more active as the links between staying healthy and achieving a longer life were clear.
Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “It is worrying that levels of physical activity in the UK are falling as this is associated with an increasing number of heart attacks , strokes and other conditions, including cancers.
“Commuting to work by walking, or better still, cycling, is a great way to combine physical activity into your normal daily routine.
“It is paramount to make physical activity easier and more accessible if we are to reduce the burden of ill health caused by inactivity. Local authorities and workplaces should support this by making using active transport as a means to get to work an easy option.”
Paul Wright, Cycling Scotland Behaviour Change Manager, added: “Cycling to work clearly benefits an individual’s health. Employers also see a benefit through reduction in sickness absence and increased productivity among staff."
Dr Jason Gill, from the institute of cardiovascular and medical sciences at Glasgow, said the Government needs to look at ways to make it easier for people to commute by bike, such as creating "cycle lanes, city bike hire, subsidised cycle purchase schemes and increasing provision for cycles on public transport".
These would create "major opportunities for public health improvement," he added.
Sarah Toule, Head of Health Information at World Cancer Research Fund said:
“It is great to see even more evidence showing the benefits of being physically active for decreasing cancer risk.”
“Our own research shows physical activity is directly linked to a decreased risk of 3 cancers - breast, bowel and womb.
"Being active is also vital to maintaining a healthy weight, which decreases your risk of 11 common cancers."
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