Cycling May Be the Key to a Sharper, Healthier Brain

New research suggests that riding a bicycle may do more than keep you physically fit it could also help protect your brain from dementia. A team of international scientists, including experts from China and Australia, found that among various forms of daily transportation, bicycling stands out for its positive impact on brain health.

What Was Researched?

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed long-term health data from nearly half a million people enrolled in the UK Biobank. These individuals, with an average age of 56.5 years, were in good health and showed no signs of dementia at the start of the study. Researchers tracked their health over the next 13 years, focusing on their usual modes of transportation excluding commutes to and from work.

Key Findings

When comparing transportation methods, the researchers discovered that individuals who frequently used bicycles had lower rates of dementia than those who mainly walked, drove, or took public transit. Notably, cyclists retained more volume in the hippocampus a part of the brain essential for memory and learning.

This association held across all three major types of dementia studied:

Alzheimer’s disease
Young-onset dementia
Late-onset dementia

Why Does Bicycling Help?

This connection may be because cycling provides both physical exercise and spatial navigation two activities previously shown to support brain health. In other words, bicycling not only boosts the body but also keeps the brain actively engaged in planning, direction, and awareness of surroundings.

Genetic Factors

The study also looked at a gene called APOE ε4, which is known to increase the risk of dementia. Participants who did not carry this gene variant experienced even stronger protective effects from cycling. Meanwhile, those with the APOE ε4 variant still saw some benefit, though it was more limited.

Mixing Modes Still Helps

Even if participants didn’t rely solely on bicycles, combining cycling with other forms of transportation such as walking or taking the bus still showed a positive impact on brain health and hippocampal volume retention. This means that incorporating cycling into daily routines, even part-time, can be beneficial.

Conclusion

This research adds to the growing body of evidence that lifestyle choices, particularly how we move around day to day, can influence long-term brain health. For older adults especially, choosing a bicycle over a car or bus may be a simple yet powerful way to help reduce the risk of developing dementia and preserve memory function longer.
If you’re looking for ways to stay mentally sharp as you age, adding a bit of cycling to your routine could be a smart and brain-friendly move.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.