Cycling and Longevity: Adding Years on Your Bike

Exercising generally contributes to a longer, healthier life. Cycling is our exercise of choice, and it can positively affect many areas of personal health and fitness. Some of our other blog posts discuss these unique benefits of cycling. Recently, we became interested in the topic of cycling and longevity. Can regular riding lead to a longer life? Many pieces of evidence say yes. We at Utah Bicycle Lawyers are passionate about cycling and are always looking to promote its benefits. So, this post takes a look at how cycling can help people live longer and more fulfilling lives.

Cycling and Longevity: A Prime Example

NPR recently reported on a 105-year old man, Robert Marchand, who set a new cycling record. Marchand rode 14 miles in one hour — an an incredible feat for a cyclist of his age. It is hard to imagine being able to exercise like this so late in one’s life, but regular cycling may help you do just that. In the NPR article, Marchand’s coach explains, “He eats fruits and vegetables, doesn’t smoke, drinks wine only on occasion, goes to bed at 9 p.m. and exercises every day.” It seems simple enough. Healthy habits and regular exercise like cycling may help add years to your life.

One Way to Cycle Frequently: Commuting

The Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation points to a Danish study as proof of the health benefits of cycling to work. The study found that over 15 years, people who cycled to work and maintained active lifestyles enjoyed a lower mortality rate than those who did not. If you are looking for ways to ride more frequently, commuting by bike is a great option. If the location of your workplace and your schedule allows you to do so, this can be very beneficial to both your short-term and long-term health.

Pair Frequent Cycling with a Healthy Diet

To maximize the positive relationship between cycling and longevity, be sure to keep a healthy diet. One of our other blog posts discusses cycling diets that can help you do this. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, and other healthy foods. The site ChooseMyPlate.gov provides suggestions and resources to help you eat right.

Your Utah Bicycle Accident Lawyers

There may be a strong connection between regular cycling and longevity, but unexpected accidents can quickly take us off the road early. If you are injured in a bike accident because of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to receive compensation in an accident case. At Utah Bicycle Lawyers, we help cyclists build the strongest possible cases. We are cyclists ourselves, and are passionate about helping our fellow riders get the help they need and deserve. If you are injured, contact us today for a free initial consultation!

We also offer a free book to anyone who is interested — The Utah Bicycle Accident Handbook. This book explains bike accident law in plain English, not the usual legal jargon. Understanding your case is essential, and this book helps you do just that. Order your absolutely free copy by clicking on the title above!