Cycling: The Costs May Outweigh The Benefits

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Costs and benefits of cycling
Costs and benefits of cycling

Cycling is good for you. Why? Inactivity is one of the major causes of heart diseases according to research.  Health campaigners tend to recommend some forms of exercise every week to overcome this problem.  The provision of bicycles for hire in the city of London is one of these schemes which is supported by both the mayor of London and Barclays Bank.  Should we all go cycling to gain these cycling benefits?

There is no doubt that cycling for some minutes on regular basis is good for the body.  This is supported by the latest publication in the British Medical Journal showing a strong positive relationship between cycling and cardiovascular health.

However, cycling has both physical and internal risks.  One of the physical risks of cycling is related to being knock down by a vehicle.  Last year up to 10 cyclists were knocked down and killed in London by vehicles.  Many more were injured and may never cycle again in their life. 

Another physical risk associated with cycling involves the risk of falling and fracturing either the hand, leg, or even the skull.  This can result from using a faulty bicycle, creating space for pedestrians, or by passing through a damaged road surface.

Unlike these physical risks of cycling, the internal risks of cycling tend to be less severe in the short term but often tend to be serious in the long term.  They range from inflammation of the knees to displacement of the knee caps to the wearing-off of the knee joints.  All of these can leave a cyclist needing a knee surgery, knee replacement operations or permanent medical care.

While contemplating to exercise it is important to weigh these cycling risks against the benefits.  Use a good bicycle without any fault, wear a helmet, cycle moderately, and seek advice from specialists including sports trainers, physiotherapists, and doctors if necessary.

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