A healthy habit
We all know that regular exercise improves well-being. Now, a study in Scotland reveals that walking or cycling to work can almost halve the risk of death, especially from heart disease and cancer, and also reduces hospitalizations. Researchers from the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh analyzed the medical records of 82,300 people from 2001 to 2018. Of this figure, around 69,373 individuals used public transport or private cars, 11,560 walked and 1,363 used a bicycle.
Lower probability of death
According to the data analysis, cyclists showed a 47% lower risk of dying and a 10% lower probability of being hospitalized compared to those who were not active, that is, those who used motor vehicles or public transportation. This percentage increased to 24% with respect to admissions due to cardiovascular diseases or cancer. For those who walked to work, hospitalizations versus non-active commuters were 9% lower overall and 10% lower for heart disease. However, a disadvantage for cyclists is the 50% increase in hospital admissions due to traffic accidents, compared to those who use public transport or cars.
Impact on mental health
Additionally, getting around by bike or on foot can have mental health benefits. Of the total number of people studied, 41% received some pharmacological treatment for mental problems, a figure that dropped to 20% among cyclists and 7% among pedestrians.
Researchers’ recommendations
Given these results, scientists suggest that policy makers encourage mobility on foot or by bicycle. This not only benefits health, but also promotes sustainability. In Spain, more than two million people use their bicycle to go to work every day, to which are added six million people who do so occasionally. In Barcelona, 42% of trips are made on foot and 3.8% by bicycle or personal mobility vehicles, according to data from 2022, where 8.5 million trips were made.
