{"id":59932,"date":"2025-08-10T20:54:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T20:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/59932\/"},"modified":"2025-08-10T20:54:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T20:54:18","slug":"cycling-is-fun-and-good-for-your-health-heres-the-research-on-pedal-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/59932\/","title":{"rendered":"Cycling is fun and good for your health \u2014 here\u2019s the research on pedal power"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Cycling is an excellent way to get some <a data-popup-added=\"true\" style=\"cursor: pointer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themanual.com\/fitness\/benefits-of-outdoor-workouts\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">exercise in the great outdoors<\/a>. You can pedal around your city and get your muscles moving. I\u2019ve always loved cycling, and writing this is making me want to fix my tire, so I can get back on the bike again. It\u2019s a fun way to travel around that offers numerous benefits over driving a car. From scenic routes to trips across the country, here are the benefits of this ever-popular childhood pastime.<\/p>\n<p>What are the benefits of cycling?<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/kingbull-bikes-_man-riding-bike-bicycle-with-helmet-on-cycling-outdoors-blue-sky--e1746556747478.jpg\" alt=\"man riding bike bicycle with helmet on cycling outdoors blue sky\" class=\"wp-image-1361241\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\tKingbull Bikes \/ Unsplash<\/p>\n<p>Health and longevity<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1369847825000981?via%3Dihub\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">study<\/a> published in Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, the researchers in Japan discovered that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themanual.com\/outdoors\/how-to-improve-your-cycling-speed\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">cycling promotes general health<\/a> and longevity, particularly for older adults.<\/p>\n<p>Reduce the risk of disability with aging<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-imperioame-old-man-sitting-by-his-bicycle-on-bench-outside-e1746047353408.jpg\" alt=\"man sitting by his bicycle on bench outside\" class=\"wp-image-1424670\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\tImperioame \/ Pexels<\/p>\n<p>The same study revealed that cycling is linked to a lower risk of mortality and functional disability in older adults.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A mode of transportation<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/kingbull-bikes-man-cycling-outside-on-the-grass-unsplash-e1746038733982.jpg\" alt=\"man cycling outside on the grass\" class=\"wp-image-1371372\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\tKingbull Bikes \/ Unsplash<\/p>\n<p>These benefits were even more significant in the older adults who didn\u2019t drive a car. The researchers pointed out that the benefits might be more from the value of cycling as a form of transportation rather than just a form of exercise. However, even older adults who only occasionally got on the bike still experienced the advantages of pedal power and meaningful health benefits.<\/p>\n<p>A form of aerobic exercise<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-pixabay-man-cycling-on-road-e1747502494581.jpg\" alt=\"man cycling on road\" class=\"wp-image-1428947\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\tPixabay \/ Pexels<\/p>\n<p>Cycling is an effective <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themanual.com\/fitness\/best-aerobic-exercises-for-men\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">type of aerobic exercise<\/a> that boosts your <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21496106\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">cardiorespiratory<\/a> fitness. Many people find it a lot more fun than running around the block.<\/p>\n<p>A social activity<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-mizunokozuki-man-and-woman-walking-with-bicycles-bikes-outdoors-e1746047449113.jpg\" alt=\"man and woman walking with bicycles bikes outdoors\" class=\"wp-image-1424672\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\tMizunokozuki \/ Pexels<\/p>\n<p>I used to go cycling with my family over to the organic ice cream shop and back again. Cycling is a social activity that can boost your mood and well-being.<\/p>\n<p>Lower your stress and improve your quality of life<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-pixabay-bicycle-by-the-water-e1754677860735.jpg\" alt=\"bicycle by the water\" class=\"wp-image-1445037\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\tPixabay \/ Pexels<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10546027\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Researchers<\/a> have found that cycling lowers levels of perceived stress, promotes higher levels of commuting enjoyment, and promotes higher perceived quality of life.<\/p>\n<p>Improve your muscle strength and joint mobility<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-cottonbro-bicycle-bike-tricks-e1754677922493.jpg\" alt=\"bicycle bike tricks\" class=\"wp-image-1445038\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\tCottonBro \/ Pexels<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re pedaling on the bicycle, you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themanual.com\/fitness\/dumbbell-hamstring-exercises\/\" data-popup-added=\"true\" style=\"cursor: pointer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">working your hamstrings<\/a>, quads, calves, glutes, core, and more to move the bike forward and stay balanced. Leg strength is a major bonus of pedal power. Riding a bike is also low-impact for your joints.<\/p>\n<p>Lower your risk of chronic disease<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/pexels-tony-pham-person-cycling.jpg\" alt=\"person cycling outdoors\" class=\"wp-image-1429011\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\tTony Pham \/ Pexels<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/sports-and-active-living\/articles\/10.3389\/fspor.2024.1487117\/full\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Research<\/a> also shows that regular participation in cycling can significantly lower your risk of chronic diseases, such as metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and even certain cancers. There are plenty of reasons to go cycling for your health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cycling is an excellent way to get some exercise in the great outdoors. You can pedal around your&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":59933,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[445],"tags":[49,48,635,6454,12721,82,12564],"class_list":["post-59932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-cycling","tag-health-fitness","tag-premium","tag-sports","tag-workouts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59932"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59932\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}