A recent study conducted in Finland has revealed that commuting to work by bicycle may lead to fewer sick days and lower risks of long-term absences due to illness. The study, led by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, analyzed self-reported data from 28,485 local government employees over the course of a year, with most participants also undergoing a follow-up survey the following year.
According to the findings, the most diligent commuters covered over 30 kilometers per week, with an average of 61 kilometers weekly. The average one-way commute distance for this group was 9.4 kilometers, with cycling being more prevalent than walking. The more kilometers commuted per week, the lower the risk of sick leave absenteeism.
Compared to passive commuting methods such as driving or using public transportation, commuting by bicycle for 61 kilometers or more per week was associated with an 8% to 12% reduction in sick leave risk and an 18% decrease in the risk of being absent for at least 10 days due to illness. On average, the most dedicated commuters took 4.5 fewer sick days per year compared to passive commuters and experienced one less long-term illness every 10 years.
Essi Kalliolahti, a public health scientist at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and one of the authors of the study, noted that previous research has shown the health and environmental benefits of active commuting. However, the relationship between active commuting and the risk of long-term sick leave had not been previously explored.
Kalliolahti stated, “Now, it is known that regular cycling to work can reduce the risk of long-term sick leave, thereby reducing the total number of sick days taken due to illness.”
While the researchers took into account other potential factors that could affect illness, including gender, age, alcohol consumption, and socio-economic status, the data did not establish a direct causal relationship between cycling and disease, only a strong correlation.
The study also found that cycling was more effective than walking in reducing the number of sick days taken, especially for those cyclists traveling longer distances. This could be attributed to walkers not engaging in enough physical activity or the additional benefits that long-distance cycling may offer in terms of overall health.
The researchers highlighted in the report that, besides lesser weekly distances covered by walkers compared to cyclists, the intensity of walking may not be sufficient. This suggests that a faster walking pace may be more important than the frequency of walking.
In addition to the health benefits, cycling is also more environmentally friendly than driving or taking public transport, as it reduces carbon emissions and minimizes pollution.
Jenni Ervasti, an epidemiologist at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, emphasized the importance of promoting active commuting through walking or cycling, given that only half of adults engage in recommended levels of physical activity.
She stated, “Commuting by walking or cycling is an effective way to increase beneficial health-related physical activity.” The results of this study provide additional justification for encouraging people to commute actively, particularly by cycling.
The findings of this study were published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, underscoring the significance of active commuting in promoting both individual health and environmental well-being.