Is bike commuting helping or risking my health?

I get comments about safety all the time when I bike commute: “I wouldn’t risk it, it’s so dangerous.” The thing is that I’m healthier when I’m biking in, so how do the health benefits of the biking balance with the higher risk of traffic accidents?

Friel and colleagues (2024) looked at long term health outcomes of pedestrians and cyclists over a period of 18 years in Scotland. This is interesting because it is the longest term study I’ve seen and it breaks apart cyclists versus pedestrians.

Bad news first. Cyclists are twice as likely to be hospitalized due to traffic incidents compared to non-active commuters. But overall, including with all-cause hospitalizations, cyclists fare the best of the three groups (pedestrians, cyclists, and non-active commuters). Compared to non-active commuters, cyclists have a 47% lower risk of death for all causes and a 10% lower risk of all-cause hospitalizations. 24% and 30% less chance of hospitalization and prescriptions for cardiovascular disease, respectively. 24% and 51% less risk of hospitalization and death from cancer respectively.  And 20% less chance of having a mental health prescription.

Pedestrians saw lower benefits than cyclists, with 9% lower hospitalizations, 10% lower cardiovascular disease hospitalizations and prescriptions, and 7% lower mental health prescriptions.

So, as a cyclist, I do have an increased chance of hospitalization due to a traffic incident. But, overall, the health benefits and reduced risks lead to significantly improved health outcomes. Is this my new response to people: “Sure, I do have a higher risk due to traffic, especially in spaces with poor cycling infrastructure, I might add, but I have less risk of death from all causes, less risk of cardiovascular disease, and a greater chance that I’ll have better outcomes if I develop cancer. Oh, and my mental health is also supported by my cycling.” It really highlights how our perceptions do not always match reality, and unfortunately, in this case, at least, it prevents many people who are able to otherwise from adopting a healthier choice.