Does Bike Commuting HALVE early death? That’s what a peer reviewed scientific study recently found, but today we dig deeper. What if you have an easy commute? What about the dangers bringing down the average? What about ebikes?
Due to exercise or due to the way other drivers behave in traffic? :p
Does it take into account the number of exhaust fumes bikers may breathe in? Because my bike commute is 30% near a slow moving high traffic street. So plenty of time to breathe in some lovely exhaust fumes.
Bad news, the people driving cars in that traffic are breathing in the exact same fumes. The cabin air doesn’t magically get rid of pollutants because it went through a paper filter meant to keep out large particulates. The asthma/cancer causing pollutants go through just fine.
In fact in slow moving traffic where two wheelers are allowed to filter, I’d expect they are getting exposed to fewer pollutants because they are spending less time in traffic. Plus cyclists get improved cardio which helps negate breathing problems.
Anecdotally the physical health difference between no exercising and mildly exercising while commuting is mind-blowing. And the fact that so many able-bodied office workers couldn’t run a mile uninterrupted due to a car-dependent lifestyle should be terrifying.
Can confirm.
When I commuted by bus without doing any activity outside of walking and then needed to sprint (+ fully packed backpack) to get the bus, I’d be floored once reached.
Nowadays by riding bike to work, I get my regular workout and improve my fitness (for the frail future of my senior body)
