Is it bad for your health if you cycle a lot through a busy city? Not at all, says the University of Utrecht.
Research by British professor Jonathan Grigg shows that cyclists have considerably more soot particles in their bodies † This is especially the case for people who live in the city. Not going to work by bike anymore? Nope, the benefits of cycling after all, far outweigh the disadvantages.
Benefits
Utrecht University calculated that the health benefits of cycling in the city be much larger than when you go by car. The disadvantages that cyclists encounter, such as traffic accidents or inhaling particulate matter, do not outweigh the advantages. For example, people who cycle to work are sick less often than their driving colleagues. Cycling burns fat, improves fitness and reduces stress.
Read also:dark chocolate improves athletic performance >
Life expectancy
People who leave the car at home for short distances and ride a bicycle can even see their life expectancy increase by three to fourteen months. On the other hand, there is a potential loss of one to forty days by inhalation of harmful substances and five to nine days due to an increased risk of a fatal traffic accident.
Nevertheless, it is best to avoid exposure to particulate matter as much as possible † British professor Jonathan Grigg therefore recommends cycling mainly through quiet areas.
