New study: Cycle commuting halves risk of death

[geomannie]

When arguing for provision of cycle facilities it's good to be armed with relevant facts and data that support societal benefits. Into this data pot I would like to draw people's attention to a recent study in the BMJ that followed health outcomes of 82,297 individuals aged 16–74 years between 2001 and 2018. Those who cycled or walked to work were found to have significantly better health outcomes compared to non-active commuters.

Overall risk of mortality for cyclists was nearly halved for cyclists! Unfortunately, cyclists had a doubled risk of traffic casualty hospitalisation.

All-in-all a very interesting study and if proof be needed that cycling brings major health benefits, this is a very useful addition.

https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e001295

[axel_knutt]

Overall risk of mortality for cyclists was nearly halved for cyclists! Unfortunately, cyclists had a doubled risk of traffic casualty hospitalisation.

Health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks from accidents and pollution by 7 to 1:
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.0901747

Doing no exercise has roughly the same effect on health as smoking:
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/6/801.full

[Nearholmer]

So, if I cycle commute, there’s a 50% probability of becoming immortal, is that right?

[geomannie]

So, if I cycle commute, there’s a 50% probability of becoming immortal, is that right?

It does kind of read that way, but my interpretation is that fewer cyclists died under the age of 74, the cut off age of the study, than non-cyclists.

[geomannie]

Health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks from accidents and pollution by 7 to 1:
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.0901747

Absolutely. Doubling the risk of traffic related hospitalisation may seem bad, but doubling a low risk is still a low risk.

[gbnz]

When arguing for provision of cycle facilities it's good to be armed with relevant facts and data that support societal benefits. Into this data pot I would like to draw people's attention to a recent study in the BMJ that followed health outcomes of 82,297 individuals aged 16–74 years between 2001 and 2018. Those who cycled or walked to work were found to have significantly better health outcomes compared to non-active commuters.

Overall risk of mortality for cyclists was nearly halved for cyclists! Unfortunately, cyclists had a doubled risk of traffic casualty hospitalisation.

All-in-all a very interesting study and if proof be needed that cycling brings major health benefits, this is a very useful addition.

https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e001295
F1.large.jpg

But in reality, doesn't much of it stem from socio economic grouping ?

Cyclists in the modern world, almost invariably, originate from higher socio economic groupings, as do people who walk, thus we live longer and in a healthier condition

Rather like in Covid, 2000. Living in an absolutely, socio economically split Northern Town. The lower half all caught Covid, leading to the town having the worst Covid rate statistics in England, for a period. We didn't, though someone caught Covid , after 10-11 months. Whether it was down the gym, the pastures walk or wherever, we don't know.

And even as a now social housing living, welfare dependant, individual ? It is true, that my FOC property is nearly 300' from the nearest 13th century tower and the stonework, is a bit "dodgy". But even if I weren't a cyclist (Nb. Quick 45 miles to a medical last Friday), we're simply bound to live far longer. I do need to lose a stone, asap, but nothing like the 15-20 stones of the lower groupings, don't need to drop 40 fags a day, 15 pints on a Friday (Nb. Have had a near 5.5 pints this year ).

Though was bemusing to hear, on an unusual purchase of a sausage roll today, that the previous customer, apparently "drinks on the job". The Till operative found it incredible, that somebody would have half a bottle of whiskey, before 3pm. She was genuinely bemused, that it wasn't even Friday yet (Nb. Am not making this up, she found it incredible, that he drinks on the job, Before a Friday )

[geomannie]

But in reality, doesn't much of it stem from socio economic grouping ?

Cyclists in the modern world, almost invariably, originate from higher socio economic groupings, as do people who walk, thus we live longer and in a healthier condition

The study authors say they have taken socioeconomic factors into account.

"Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare cyclist and pedestrian commuters with non-active commuters for a range of health outcomes, controlling for pre-existing health conditions, and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.'

[plancashire]

Health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks from accidents and pollution by 7 to 1:
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.0901747

Absolutely. Doubling the risk of traffic related hospitalisation may seem bad, but doubling a low risk is still a low risk.

Exactly. You can deduce that the risk is low from the much wider confidence intervals, which arise from a much lower sample size, i.e. few casualties.

[pwa]

When arguing for provision of cycle facilities it's good to be armed with relevant facts and data that support societal benefits. Into this data pot I would like to draw people's attention to a recent study in the BMJ that followed health outcomes of 82,297 individuals aged 16–74 years between 2001 and 2018. Those who cycled or walked to work were found to have significantly better health outcomes compared to non-active commuters.

Overall risk of mortality for cyclists was nearly halved for cyclists! Unfortunately, cyclists had a doubled risk of traffic casualty hospitalisation.

All-in-all a very interesting study and if proof be needed that cycling brings major health benefits, this is a very useful addition.

https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e001295
F1.large.jpg

This just supports what many of us have long felt. That even taking into account increased risk of death or serious injury while cycling, as a package, cycling to work means you are likely to live a healthier life. The big killer is inactivity.