Source: bikingexpert.com
Published: July 29, 2017
By Roxana
Besides being a wonderful sport, biking is an activity that boasts countless advantages. Not only cycling improves our overall health, it also has a huge positive impact on our social life and on the environment.
If you don’t believe us, check out these fascinating biking statistics and facts that will make you want to get on your bike and ride on!
1. Cycling Improves National Health
A bike a day keeps the doctor away! Or maybe the saying was slightly different, nevertheless, biking statistics say that this new proverb is true.
According to a research conducted by Glenn Stewart at Brunel University in London, those who practice cycling every day are 6 times healthier than any other type of commuters, in accordance with criteria established by the World Health Organization.
Published in the Journal of Public Health, the study demonstrates the positive impact of physical activity on people’s health. As a result, cycling lowers the risk of premature mortality with up to 30%, while the risk of developing cardiorespiratory diseases is reduced by about 40%.
Stewart’s study is not the only one that proves the health benefits of cycling. In fact, the University of Zurich also published a study on the impact of cycling on the population of Portland, USA, and the results clearly speak about the increase of the overall health of the residents.
2. Cyclists Are Less Exposed To Urban Pollution
According to the World Health Organization, about 7 million people worldwide die prematurely every year due to air pollution. In fact, air pollution is one of the leading causes of death, counting more lives than cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Based on this information, researchers at King’s College in London decided to compare 6 subjects, an ambulance driver, a public transport user, a pedestrian, a cyclist, a school pupil and a toddler, based on their daily commuting habits. And the results are incredible.
On the contrary to what can be expected, the most exposed to pollution was the ambulance driver, not the cyclist or the pedestrians. According to the study, those who commute by car are exposed to dangerous gases with up to 500% more than the cyclists.
Not only cyclists are the less exposed to pollution, they also have the possibility to choose less trafficked roads as alternative routes, lowering their exposure to air pollution even more.
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3. More Cyclists, Less Accident
The more we ride, the less we have to be afraid of road accidents, the statistics explain.
Many people are afraid to start riding a bicycle for the daily commute because of the tragic traffic accidents. The truth is that in many states or countries, a lot of drivers have a fair degree of intolerance towards cyclists, above all in the areas without designated cycling lanes.
Nevertheless, statistics explain that the number of the cyclists involved in road accidents decreases when the actual number of cyclists increases.
The study, conducted by a German agency between 2006 and 2009, shows a comparison of the number of cycling trips per inhabitant and their correlation to traffic incidents. The conclusion of the study is that cyclists are safer when they are more numerous, mainly because the other participants in the traffic pay more attention to them.
Although the study is rather old, various other reports show that these statistics are still accurate.
4. Cyclists Are Less Likely To Suffer From Impotence
For a long time, it has been widely believed that cycling could induce impotence due to the pressure exerted by the saddle on the delicate masculine areas. Nonetheless, some scientists and studies show that cycling can indeed lead to insensitivity in the genital area, but the phenomenon is only temporary and there is no correlation between cycling and impotence.
Moreover, the studies also show that cyclists are less likely to suffer from impotence.
According to cardiologist Michael Crawford, a well-trained heart can pump 50% more blood, and an increased inflow of blood helps the erection. The University of California also showed that men who practice a regular physical activity increase their romantic performances with up to 30%.
These opinions are confirmed by a urologist in Portland and by additional studies conducted by the University of Chicago.
5. Cycling Improves Productivity
According to a British study published by Cyclescheme, those who choose to ride their bike to work are more likely to progress and succeed in their careers because they are fitter and more alert.
According to the researchers, cyclists often report that they feel less stressed at work, while those who started cycling reported an improvement in their concentration capacity.
In fact, cycling boosts the energy, it increases the capacity of concentration, improves the competitiveness, the memory, and the mood.
Because of the health benefits of cycling, workers who commute by bike also require fewer sick days, with a further benefit on the work capacities and a lower impact on the health system’s budget.
6. Cyclists Are Smarter And Cooler Than The Average
You got it right! Biking statistics say that cyclists are considered to be 13% smarter and cooler than the average population, not to mention that they are also considered with about 10% more charitable. At least these are the results of a psychological study conducted by Mindlab Association.
According to this study, almost 25% of the respondents claimed that they would rather date a cyclist than any other sportsmen, while more than 60% of the people interviewed also confessed their attraction to the stretchy Lycra cycling equipment.
According to a neuropsychologist, the results of the study are accurate because the technique used during the interview is able to reveal the real thoughts of the people. As such, cycling is the way to go if you want to be considered one of the cool guys.