You wrap up a stressful day at work, jump into your car, start driving, and hit bumper-to-bumper traffic. What should have been a 20-minute commute turns into over an hour. You feel trapped, annoyed by each car trying to swerve into your lane. Over time, your body starts to feel stiff. You arrive home feeling lethargic and sleepy. Then, it repeats. Day after day.
Research suggests that longer commutes by car are associated with lower levels of satisfaction and increased feelings of stress. But it doesn’t have to be this way. I know because this happened to me, and I know I’m not alone.
One day, while stuck in gridlocked traffic, I noticed some bike helmets bobbing along a path next to the freeway. The cyclists were smiling ear- to-ear, with no traffic to worry about. Feeling increasingly trapped in my car, I was motivated to try something different. And all those smiling cyclists had to be on to something. I dusted off my bike, mapped out a route, and tested it out on the weekend. It transformed my life (and saved me a lot on gas money).
Biking can pedal us forward in more ways than one. People who switch to active commuting, like biking, report higher well-being and can experience a 24% decrease in all-cause mortality. Now, as a researcher studying the impact of cycling on social, emotional and cognitive well-being, I’ve seen its benefits for all ages. Through my work with schools and communities, I’ve witnessed biking’s ability to enhance health and well-being, resilience and social connectedness.
Despite these benefits, physical activity rates remain alarmingly low. The World Health Organization reports that 81% of 11- to 17-year-olds fail to meet recommended activity levels, with girls being less active than boys. Adults aren’t doing much better. Long car commutes decrease time and motivation for daily physical activity, contributing to a sedentary lifestyle. Cycling to work or school can clear the mind, reduce stress and boost focus and learning.
Physical activity’s benefits extend beyond physical health. Regular exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, boosts brain health, lowers dementia risk, alleviates anxiety and depression, and enhances overall well-being. Being outdoors in nature can amplify these mental benefits. As the Surgeon General has highlighted alarming rates of anxiety and depression among young people, finding ways to encourage activity is more important than ever. While biking is not a cure-all, it is a powerful tool to support health and mental well-being.
Yet, we aren’t investing enough in cycling opportunities, especially for youth. Access to quality programming and safe places to walk or ride is unevenly distributed. Low-income and minority communities are often underserved by cycling infrastructure, exacerbating existing health disparities, as noted by the League of American Bicyclists.
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Cycling is more than transportation; it’s a way to engage with the world. It reduces noise and air pollution, fosters a sense of community and battles social isolation. Investing in cycling is not just about building bike lanes; it’s about creating a vision for a healthier, more sustainable future, and cities that have made these investments have seen substantial benefits.
After a recent move, I’m back to sitting in traffic, with limited opportunities to ride to work due to disconnected infrastructure. Yet I’m hopeful. I know there is a better way. I found it before, and I hope to find it again. I hope we all do. It’s time to invest in safe, accessible, equitable and enjoyable environments and programming that encourage everyone to get biking, especially our youth. For the future of our well-being, our communities, and our planet.
Esther Walker holds a doctorate in cognitive science and is the research director at the nonprofit organization Outride.