Riding a bike for an hour extends cyclist's life by same time, say Dutch researchers

So if you cycle for 24 hours a day you'll live forever.

Think of it as being able to go out for a ride on Sunday morning, then lie about on the sofa all afternoon and being able to explain to the Missus why technically you haven't wasted any time at all.

M

Can I cheat death and live forever as long as I keep riding? What happens if I have to stop at a red light or fix a puncture?

In the early 90's the BMA funded a research paper by Dr Meyer Hillman of the Policy Studies Institute - Cycling: Towards Health and Safety (Oxford University Press). The report "established that, in spite of the hostile environment in which most cyclists currently ride, the benefits in terms of health promotion and longevity far outweigh the loss of life years in injury on the roads. To derive these and many other benefits, it called for more emphasis to be placed on cycling and highlighted the fact that people are more likely to do so regularly if cycles are used as a form of transport rather than a recreational activity. For the great majority of the population, cycling as part of the routine of daily travel from childhood through to old age has the potential for improving fitness in a way that, given proper provision for it in the form of safe cycle networks, cannot be matched by any other comparable exercise regime." The report was used by in a public and health sector promotion by the Bicycle Association called Bike For Your Life.

re-Rupert's comments - if you are a Londoner you are LESS likely to be killed per journey than elsewhere in the UK (although that's higher chances of dying than in Netherlands). But there has been a lot showing that you are far more likely to die from not cycling than cycling.

Actually, someone like Adrian Davis in Bristol could tell you - the 6 month figure is quite low to others I have seen. And that is for people pootling to work, not club cyclists getting the miles in.

Bugger the stats on mortality. I want the stats on morbidity - rather than just extending the amount of life, what effect does regular exercise have on the *quality* of life?

I'd much rather a fun filled, action packed 70 years rather than sinking in a sofa at 50 and slowly getting more decrepit over the next 40 years.

So, if you can keep cycling forever - presumably with a team to hand you up food and drink - you will become immortal. Maybe there's a group of these immortals and the only way they can be killed is a mini-pump in the spokes.

Smoke a pipe then....amateur...

cycling also helps you live longer because the wind makes your cigarette go out while you're riding

I was going to question if the research was done by Dr Strabismus (Whom God Preserve) of Utrecht but aparently there is a Eustace Strabismus who works at the Uni of Utrecht!

Wonder if he's puzzled when British people smirk when hearing his name?

Similar statistics from the Institute of Studies reveal that if you cycle ten miles every day by the end of the week you are seventy miles from home.

Christ, I'm gonna live forever. #fame

Nice to see a dog in a basket up top, is that a reference to the Daily Mail's definition of a cyclist?

Not so fast British cyclists with your assumptions that you will live longer !

Remember this is a Dutch report not a British report.
Also remember that statistics can be made to promote anything.

What if you are a Londoner ? Has the probability of a cyclist being injured or even killed by a motorist gone up lately ?

Cool - that's an extra week so far this year then

I've often said it: time spent riding doesn't count against your total...!