Regular commuting by bicycle improves perceived work ability and reduces sickness absence, according to a study published by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
The study found that bicycle commuters had a higher risk of commuting accidents compared to those who used a car, but also experienced fewer days of sickness absence and reported better general health.
The project followed municipal employees and examined the links between commuting habits, health, work ability, sickness absences and commuting accidents.
The research included walking, cycling, car use, and combined modes involving public transport.
Jenni Ervasti, Chief Researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, said the findings showed a clear link between active commuting and increased risk of accidents.
“In the study, we observed that active commuting on foot or by bicycle — also in combination with the use of public transport — increases the risk of commuting accidents compared to driving,” Ervasti said.
Per person-years, cyclists faced the highest accident risk. All-year-round cycling commuters experienced an estimated 2.8 more commuting accidents per hundred person-years than car drivers. The most active cyclists had on average 2.5 more commuting accidents per hundred person-years than those who did not cycle at all.
Accidents among pedestrians were most frequent when measured per kilometre commuted. The higher accident rate among pedestrians was partly attributed to shorter travel distances.
“Overall, cycling to and from work, especially during winter conditions, seems to increase the risk of commuting accidents,” Ervasti said.
Despite this, regular and frequent cycling was associated with fewer sickness absences. The most active cyclists recorded up to 531 fewer sickness absence days per hundred person-years than those who did not engage in active commuting.
The researchers concluded that the health and work benefits of regular cycling outweighed the short-term work disability caused by accidents.
Essi Kalliolahti, Researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, said regular cycling, rather than occasional activity, was required to achieve the benefits.
“Occasional commuting by bicycle or by walking with typically short distances were not associated with benefits. However, regular commuting physical activity, particularly cycling, seems to be beneficial for health and work ability, even when considering the increased risk of commuting accidents,” Kalliolahti said.
The study encouraged employers to support active commuting. Researchers said this could reduce the healthcare burden and lower costs associated with sickness absences.
The report recommended that employers offer incentives for regular cycling and provide facilities that support safe commuting. Researchers also emphasised the importance of equipment such as helmets and winter tyres.
“Safety and appropriate equipment should be taken into account to ensure that the work ability benefits are not undermined by a serious accident. A bicycle helmet is the minimum safety requirement, regardless of the weather conditions, and in winter, studded tyres can help reduce the risk of accidents,” Kalliolahti said.
The researchers also suggested that urban planning should support cycling and walking as sustainable transport options. They noted that improving safety infrastructure for cyclists could reduce the number of accidents while supporting public health goals.
HT
