Cycling to work each day could reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease by 50%

Want to live longer? Reduce your risk of cancer? And heart disease?

5 Years ago a study was put together by Dr Jason Gill to investigate the benefits of 250,000 UK commuters trading their cars, trains or buses for cycling or good old fashioned walking.

After 5 years the benefits were remarkable! After these commuters were compared against stationary commuters (people who were either driving or travelling by train or bus) the result showed that on average death by any cause was reduced by 41%, the risk of cancer was reduced by 45% and the risk of heart disease was reduced by nearly half at 46%! 

It was proven that if people cycled an average of 30 miles or walked 6 miles per week, the results could be life changing!

“This is really clear evidence that people who commute in an active way, particularly by cycling, were at lower risk. You need to get to work every day so if you built cycling into the day it essentially takes willpower out of the equation.

What we really need to do is change our infrastructure to make it easier to cycle – we need bike lanes, to make it easier to put bikes on trains, showers at work.” – Dr Jason Gill

When this study was first carried out, it was not possible to confirm the cause and effect of cancer and heart disease in each of the 250,000 commuters. They had to take into consideration the age, weight, height, diet and whether or not each individual smoked and if so, how much per day/week. All of this had to be taken into account when calculating the percentage of risk.

It was proven that cycling is a better form of exercise then walking as is it usually a longer workout and is more intense.

Clare Hyde from Cancer Research UK said: “This study helps to highlight the potential benefits of building activity into your everyday life. You don’t need to join a gym or run the marathon.

Anything that gets you a bit hot and out of breath – whether it’s cycling all or part way to work or doing some housework – can help make a difference.”