Is bicycling healthy?
Are the health gains of bicycling worth the risk from accidents and increased intake of air pollution? Nicomachus has an article exploring this question today, “The Outspokin’ Cyclist: Taking on toxins is worth it”, exploring some of the science and fitness issues involved.
No doubt, on-road cyclists are more vulnerable to their environments than drivers. It’s not just that we’re naked next to multi-ton hunks of steel hurtling past us (in either direction) at deadly speeds and proximities too close for comfort, but we’re also exposed to the gases of the landscape.[...]
So, I started wondering whether biking is actually an unhealthy thing to do. I mean, coasting up to each intersection, it sure feels like I’m breathing in more car exhaust than when I’m a passenger in a car. So who better to ask than public health specialists?
As a cyclist who’s being forced to stay off a bike for a few more weeks, I’m really unhappy about not being out there at the moment — especially since it sets this year’s training back by at least 2 months, maybe more. But it’s good to know all that hard work coming this spring will be worthwhile, no matter what the air conditions.