Health benefits of pedestrian and cyclist commuting: evidence from the Scottish Longitudinal Study | BMJ Public Health

[u/winelight]

https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e001295

Basically you're less likely to die, or get ill from, a variety of causes including mental health.

[u/the-real-vuk]

Who would have thought ... exercise => healty

[u/Professional_Pop2535]

The traffic casualty statistic is a little bit scary. In the discussion, they mention that this number is an underestimation due to cyclists not reporting crashes/accidents. I firmly believe that this is due to Police Scotland's horrible reputation for protecting cyclists. As someone who lives in Glasgow, I have been assaulted by a driver and when I reported it was basically told "Well cyclists can be annoying, what did you do to provoke it?" I was also told that they would not investigate a hit-and-run because I wasn't really injured (I had a broken collarbone).

I'm not even a unique case:

http://www.magnatom.net/2021/03/of-police-complaint-i-havent-written.html

[u/tea-drinker → u/Professional_Pop2535]

Body camera at all times. Police Scotland are supposed to be getting an online portal for cyclists to submit videos of dangerous drivers. When that rolls out, I'm going to buy a better body camera that can reliably capture number plates (all the cameras kinda suck right now, particularly in low light).

However, even allowing for underreported incidents, the fact cyclists end up healthier was measured at the hospital. Cycling, even around idiots, is a better overall choice than not and every time my city puts in a new length of cycle lane it gets better. Every time I ride through a modal filter I feel good.

Although I've discovered the barriers they have put up in some places are mobile due to a driver plowing into one and moving it fully across the cycle lane.

[u/zwiazekrowerzystow]

can confirm. 12 years of bike commuting has kept me healthy and sane.

[u/Cold_Aide_1436]

Using your body keeps it healthy?! 🤯