Adults who cycle to work are 45 per cent less likely to get cancer, research finds. Risk of dying prematurely from any cause is 41 per cent lower. Study of 250,000 people was carried out by team from Glasgow University
The biggest study into the issue linked using two wheels with a halving of the risk of cancer and heart disease. The five-year study of 250,000 UK commuters also showed walking had some benefits over sitting on public transport or taking the car. The team in Glasgow said cycling took no willpower once it became part of the work routine - unlike going to the gym.
The five-year study compared people who had an "active" commute with those who were mostly stationary. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling.
The 264,337 participants were asked how they travelled to work on a typical day. Their health was monitored for five years and the results adjusted for variables such as sex, age, existing illness, smoking and diet.
Overall, people who cycled to work were found to have a 41 per cent lower risk of premature death from any cause, compared to those who drove or took public transport.
Source: bbc.com, independent.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk, bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1456