Drive Less, Bike More for a Better Life
This article is part of a new series “What are we waiting for?” where we address things we can all do today to improve our well-being and help protect the environment.
BY Mira Molthen
Active transportation presents a great opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. Biking, in particular, can be effective due to its flexibility in routing and increased efficiency compared to walking. Biking is also highly enjoyable; people who cycle frequently experience multiple psychological and social benefits. Habitual integration of biking, such as daily commuting, rather than driving, also provides additional benefits, including:
Increased Physical Activity. On average, researchers observed that bike commuters have 2.1 more hours of physical activity each week than those who drive to work. In an era when occupational-related physical activity is declining, biking offers a means to counter this trend. Furthermore, many benefits arise from increased physical activity.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Illness. Biking has the potential to reduce deaths from chronic diseases nationwide. About one in ten Americans has type 2 diabetes (T2D). Biking may be a preventive measure for this disease; a Danish study found that commuting and recreational cycling were consistently associated with a lower risk of T2D. Furthermore, biking also mitigates the risk of cardiovascular disease. In metropolitan areas in the US, less than one percent of trips are taken by bicycle. If 40% of trips were taken via bike, it would prevent approximately 70,000 deaths from chronic diseases each year.
Reduced Stress. Travel congestion has been linked to increasing levels of stress. Biking provides a way to free oneself from this problem. Physical activity and being outside are also known to reduce stress. A study found that bike commuters had a lower risk of being stressed than non-bike commuters. This reduction of stress also may impact one’s risk for chronic illness, as a study found that stressful events contribute to the development and course of chronic illnesses.
Increased Cognitive Health. One study conducted on high school students found that biking helps mitigate mental fatigue and enhances different cognitive processes to facilitate better learning. This finding is not just limited to students; another study conducted on older adults (ages 50-83) found cognitive benefits associated with biking.
Economic Benefit. In 2015, Aleta Rameriez, a public health counselor, figured she saved $20 each week by biking instead of driving her car. In 2025, that would be closer to approximately $27 a week, adding up to $1,400 per year. Furthermore, being physically active helps reduce healthcare costs. Although each individual's health is different, biking to commute and increasing one's physical activity have the potential to reduce future healthcare costs.
What are we waiting for? Where can you integrate biking into your daily life? What are the factors or limitations that are holding you back? One common barrier people find themselves facing while biking is navigating how to carry things. This video provides some inspiration on how to do so.