Cycling and Public Health
Cycling’s role in bridging the gap between Health, Transport Policy, and Practice
Imagine a city where streets are quiet, the air is fresh, and children safely cycle to school under leafy trees. Where parks replace parking lots, and the sounds of daily life are conversations, footsteps, and the steady rhythm of spinning wheels. In places designed around public transport and active mobility, this is not a utopia, but it is a public health strategy.
In contrast, in most cities today the opposite is the norm. Streets are built for private vehicles, extensive roads cut through neighborhoods, green spaces shrink, and air and noise pollution rise. Social connections fade as car dependency grows. The research is clear: car-centric urban design comes at the cost of our health and quality of life (Lozzi & Monachino, 2021).
Urban environments shape how we move, how we live, and ultimately, how healthy we are. When people choose how to get from A to B, they are rarely choosing freely, but they are choosing from what the city makes possible (Ferretto, 2021). Changing that architecture can change everything.
In recent years, we have seen a rise in cycling for recreational and transport purposes, encouraged by the COVID-19 pandemic and a renewed climate consciousness (Francke, 2022). Cycling is not just a leisure activity or a mode of transport; it is a symbol of healthier cities, cleaner air, and more connected lives.
But if we know that cycling is so good for our health, why is it not more central to our health and transport strategies?
The benefits of cycling
The scientific consensus is strong. Physical inactivity now affects 31% of the global population, with adolescents particularly at risk (Strain et al., 2024; Guthold, 2019). However, physical inactivity is also one of the most straightforward risk factors to address, which can be tackled with low-cost, low-barrier solutions. Walking and cycling in particular, which is defined as active mobility when used for transport purposes (Wegener et al., 2017), offer powerful solutions. Active mobility requires minimal financial investment, no special equipment, and no membership fees, unlike many organised sports or fitness facilities. Integrating active mobility into daily routines is a practical, accessible strategy for all age groups. In this context, cycling must be considered a low-cost, high-impact form of health prevention.
The broad and interconnected benefits of cycling span three key areas: physical health, mental health, and societal well-being. Together they offer different angles to promote healthier, more sustainable lives through one simple action. Cycling also directly supports progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advancing objectives related to health (SDG 3), sustainable cities (SDG 11), climate action (SDG 13), and reducing inequalities (SDG 10), among many others (UNRIC, 2025).
Physical health
In Europe, public healthcare systems are under increasing pressure to manage the growing burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) linked to physical inactivity (WHO, 2024). Regular physical activity offers significant physical health benefits across the life course. For children, it is associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness, stronger bones, and enhanced cognitive and academic performance (WHO, 2024). For adults, it lowers the risk of NCDs, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and several forms of cancer (WHO, 2024). For older adults, it helps maintain functional independence, reduces fall risk, and supports healthy ageing (WHO, 2024).
On the other hand, cycling also contributes to cleaner air by decreasing motor vehicle use. Air pollution is related to higher risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (Pancholi, 2021).
Mental health
Active mobility also brings important mental health benefits. Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive function (Oja et al., 2011). Moving through green spaces by bike or on foot strengthens the restorative effects of nature exposure, which can reduce stress and improve psychological well-being. Especially in urban environments, active mobility provides a vital connection to outdoor spaces and social interaction, both of which are essential for mental health.
Societal well-being
Beyond individual health, cycling promotes broader societal well-being. Cities designed for active mobility are safer, greener, and more vibrant. Walking- and cycling-friendly environments naturally reduce vehicle speeds, improve road safety for all users, lower air pollution, lower urban heat island effects, and create stronger community connections (WHO, 2022).
Moreover, promoting cycling also supports economic development through the creation of green jobs in sectors like bicycle manufacturing, maintenance, urban planning, and tourism (WHO, 2022). Moreover, cycling helps tackle broader social inequalities by offering affordable and accessible mobility options, enabling broader access to education, employment, and healthcare (Lozzi & Monachino, 2021).
Therefore, cycling, in particular, offers a low-impact, accessible way to remain active at every stage of life, contributing to both physical and environmental well-being.
What is missing?
Despite these benefits, cycling remains underrepresented in research and public health policy. Much of the existing research combines cycling with other forms of physical activity, failing to recognise it as a distinct mode of transport. There is a need for clearer data linking cycling, especially regular commuting by bike, to long-term public health outcomes, such as reductions in chronic disease rates, healthcare costs, and health inequalities.
Cycling is also notably absent in many national health strategies. While some national health strategies include walking, cycling is often ignored or confined to transport agendas (PATH, 2024). A 2024 review by the Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH) showed that only 7% of European countries combine walking and cycling in policy objectives for safety, accessibility, and comfort (PATH, 2024).
European frameworks such as Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and initiatives like CIVITAS have acknowledged the role of active transport in sustainability legislations (Kiba-Janiak & Witkowski, 2019). However, the limited and inconsistent integration of these frameworks into national and local health policies weakens their impact. Without dedicated legislative backing, cycling-friendly initiatives often remain fragmented, short-term, and underfunded.
Moreover, there is a shortage of longitudinal studies and a lack of standardised indicators to evaluate cycling’s specific contributions to health. Even in cycling-friendly countries, data collection often stops at counting cyclists. Initiatives like the Dutch "Fiets Tel Week" (Bike Count Week) highlight the complexity of cyclist behaviour and the limitations of current data systems (Glaser, 2017). It revealed that cyclists tend to prioritise safety, greenery, and smooth surfaces, not just speed or efficiency. Understanding these preferences is key to designing infrastructure that truly works.
Why this matters
Cycling is one of the simplest tools we have to address some of the most complex challenges of our time: climate change, non-communicable diseases, air pollution, road safety, and social cohesion. It requires no fuel, no gym membership, and very little space. And yet, it remains an underused solution.
Many European cities continue to prioritise private car use, even when a large share of trips are short and easily replaceable. Data from the World Health Organisation shows that 30% of car journeys in Europe are shorter than 3 kilometres, and 50% are under 5 kilometres (WHO, 2025). These are distances that could, in most urban settings, be cycled in under 20 minutes. Replacing even a fraction of these trips with cycling would bring measurable health, environmental, and economic benefits.
Ultimately, cycling is not the goal, but it is a means to cleaner air, safer streets, more resilient cities, and healthier populations. Strong policies that integrate health, transport, and urban design are essential to realising this potential. They can provide the funding, infrastructure, and public awareness needed to make cycling a daily, safe, and attractive choice.
A significant barrier to progress is the siloed approach among government departments responsible for transport, health, and urban planning. Infrastructure gaps, social inequalities, and fragmented responsibilities contribute to slow progress.
What comes next?
To move forward, we need integrated policies and interdisciplinary research. Health professionals, urban designers, and transport planners must collaborate to create environments that support cycling as part of daily life. Evidence must not only be expanded, but actively translated into policy and practice to make sustainable urban mobility a reality.
Cycling is more than a means of transport. It is a tool for public health, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. While the benefits of active mobility are well-established, cycling still lies in the middle of health and transport strategies across Europe. Weak integration, fragmented data, and policy silos hinder its potential. However, a growing movement, supported by international initiatives, local innovation, and individual behaviour, is pushing for change. Consequently, there is growing momentum. The next step is to connect local initiatives, share successful strategies, and scale up efforts.
What is happening in your city? Are there examples of collaboration between cycling and health initiatives? Are there gaps that need addressing?
Because in the end, your daily bike ride might just be the best medicine there is.
Written by Nina van Leeuwen, Research Intern at Urban Cycling Institute.
Interested in writing or sponsoring an article? Send us a pitch at media@urbancyclinginstitute.org
Learn more:
Research project: Enhancing active mobility on Bonaire
Transition Readiness Study: Moving Pula towards a cycling city
Transition Readiness Study: Navigating Rural Territories’ Transition to Cycling
Research: Measuring employee health and wellbeing from active mobility actions
By the author: Cyclists: A Unique Kind of Road User
References:
Ferretto, L., Bruzzone, F., & Nocera, S. (2021). Pathways to active mobility planning. Research in Transportation economics, 86, 101027.
Francke, A. (2022). Cycling during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Advances in Transport Policy and Planning, 10, 265–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.atpp.2022.04.011.
Glaser, M. (2017, September 22). What happens if you turn off the traffic lights? The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/sep/22/what-happens-if-you-turn-off-the-traffic-lights
Guthold, R., Stevens, G., et al. (2019). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1.6 million participants. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health Vol. 4 Iss. 1.
Kiba-Janiak, M., & Witkowski, J. (2019). Sustainable urban mobility plans: How do they work?. Sustainability, 11(17), 4605.
PATH. (2024). Regional fact sheets for Walking and Cycling in all 197 UNFCCC countries. Partnership for Active Travel and Health. Retrieved from: https://pathforwalkingcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/PATH-Regional-Fact-Sheets-Complete-Document_FA.pdf.
Lozzi, G., & Monachino, M. S. (2021). Health considerations in active travel policies: A policy analysis at the EU level and of four member countries. Research in transportation economics, 86, 101006.
Oja, P., Titze, S., Bauman, A., De Geus, B., Krenn, P., Reger‐Nash, B., & Kohlberger, T. (2011). Health benefits of cycling: a systematic review. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 21(4), 496-509
Pancholi, N.J. (2021). How Does Climate Change Impact Cancer?. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Retrieved from: https://www.aacr.org/blog/2021/03/04/how-does-climate-change-impact-cancer/.
Strain, T., Flaxman, S., Guthold, R., Semenova, E., Cowan, M., Riley, L. M., ... & Stevens, G. A. (2024). National, regional, and global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 507 population-based surveys with 5· 7 million participants. The Lancet Global Health, 12(8), e1232-e1243.
UNRIC. (2025). Cycling and Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. Retrieved from: https://unric.org/en/sustainable-development-goals-cycling/
Wegener, S., Raser, E., Gaupp-Berghausen, M., Anaya, E., de Nazelle, A., Eriksson, U., ... & Rothballer, C. (2017, September). Active mobility–the new health trend in smart cities, or even more?. In REAL CORP 2017–PANTA RHEI–A World in Constant Motion. Proceedings of 22nd International Conference on Urban Planning, Regional Development and Information Society (pp. 21-30).
WHO. (2022). THE PEP: Building forward better by transforming to new clean safe healthy and inclusive mobility and transport. The World Health Organisation. Retrieved from: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/librariesprovider2/euro-health-topics/environment/building-forward-better-by-transforming-to-new-clean-safe-healthy-and-inclusive-mobility-and-transport.pdf?sfvrsn=6792d6bf_6&download=true.
WHO. (2024). Physical Activity. Factsheet. The World Health Organisation. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity.
WHO. (2025). Promoting healthy active mobility. The World Health Organisation. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/europe/activities/promoting-healthy-active-mobility.
 | A guest post by
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Encouraging active mobility is just getting started in my city (Tirana, Albania). It's understandable that it will take some time, but I think we're on the right path.
In our community, the plan to add sidewalk-level protected bike lanes to several major streets is being challenged by the Citizens with Disabilities committee. They have had bad experiences with speeding & unyielding cyclists and want them as far away as possible so are preferring designs that put cyclists on the street, separated from the sidewalk by parked cars, which means in the street between parked and moving cars, exactly the design we are trying to replace. What info, studies, examples do you have about safety for people with disabilities when bike infra improves? I assume one's safety does not depend on the other's "unsafety."