New Study Reveals Mental Health Benefits of Cycling to Work

Those who enjoy cycling to work know what’s up. We arrive on the scene refreshed with a smile plastered across our faces while the grumbly car-driving Gus’s show up stressed and complaining about the traffic. Now, a new study adds a little data to the anecdotal evidence we all understand to be true.

In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, cycling to work has been identified as a key factor in improving mental health, significantly lowering the likelihood of being prescribed antidepressants. The findings, published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology, shed light on the positive impact of commuting by bike.

Led by Chris Dibben, Laurie Berrie, Zhiqiang Feng, David Rice, Tom Clemens, and Lee Williamson, the study, titled ‘Does cycle commuting reduce the risk of mental ill-health? An instrumental variable analysis using distance to nearest cycle path,’ utilized commuting data from Glasgow and Edinburgh, obtained from the Scottish population census. The data was then correlated with mental health prescriptions from the National Health Service Prescribing Information System records.

Among the 378,253 individuals aged 16 to 74 living and working in the City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City council areas, residing within one mile of a cycle path, the study found that cyclists exhibited a lower incidence of mental health prescriptions compared to other commuter groups. Specifically, nine percent of cyclists had mental health prescriptions, in contrast to 14 percent in the non-cyclist category.

Over a five-year period following the 2011 census, the study estimated a mean average reduction of 15 percent in prescriptions for antidepressants among those who commuted by bike compared to other modes of transportation.

“Our study used the fact that otherwise similar people are more likely to cycle to work if they live close to a cycle path,” said Dr Laurie Berrie, School of GeoSciences. “Using this property, it was possible to mimic a randomised controlled trial and compare the mental health of those who cycled to work to those using other modes of transport but who were otherwise comparable.”

At the time of the census, only 1.85 percent of commuters in Glasgow and 4.8 percent in Edinburgh cycled to work. The researchers hope that the findings will encourage policymakers to invest in cycling infrastructure and promote active commuting for a healthier, happier, and more environmentally friendly urban landscape.

“Our finding that this economical and sustainable method of travelling to work also enhances mental health suggests that a policy of investing in cycle paths and encouraging active commuting is likely to have wide-ranging benefits,” said professor Chris Dibben of the School of GeoSciences. “Not only could this improve peoples’ mental health, it could also help reduce carbon emissions, road congestion and air pollution.”

So, just in case it isn’t crystal clear. We should create as much safe cycling infrastructure as we can, as quickly as we can to enjoy the incredible benefits on a personal and a societal level. Gotcha.