Many people use bicycles for both transportation and exercise. Previous studies have reported the health benefits of cycling, including a decrease in an individual’s risk of developing specific illnesses. Now, a recent study has revealed that persons who use bicycles as their primary form of transportation may be at a lower risk of developing dementia. Cycling was associated with a 19% reduction in dementia and a 22% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk.
The cases of Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition of older adults that impairs memory, cognitive function, and the capacity to carry out daily duties, are rising worldwide. Besides the underlying biological causes, some lifestyle factors, including a lack of physical activity, also contribute to the disease.
One effective strategy to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia is to maintain an active lifestyle in middle age. Regular movement has been shown in studies to provide numerous health benefits [1].
That said, one successful approach for increasing physical activity is “active travel,” which involves walking or cycling for transportation. To put it another way, simply choosing to walk or ride a bike instead of using the bus, train, or car may have a significant effect on brain health.
Previous research has shown that bicycling can help enhance a person’s heart health, alleviate stress, and aid in weight loss {2, 3}. Further studies have linked regular cycling to a decreased risk of several illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer [4].
Now, a recent study has revealed that individuals who use bicycling as their primary mode of transportation may have a reduced risk of developing dementia. The journal JAMA Network Open published the study [5].
About the Study
In this study, researchers examined data from the U.K. Biobank. They analyzed over 480,000 individuals with an average age of 57 who had not displayed any symptoms of dementia. The participants were from various parts of England, Scotland, and Wales.
Through surveys and exams, the researchers acquired detailed information about their primary means of transportation, demographics, lifestyles, health issues, and other factors. The researchers tracked participants for an average of 13 years.
Participants who had a dementia diagnosis at the beginning of the study or soon after (within two years), those who were unable to walk, and those who lacked travel-related information were all excluded.
The study examined two categories of dementia cases: those diagnosed at 65 years of age or older (later-onset dementia) and those who developed dementia before that age (younger-onset dementia). The researchers finally analyzed 479,723 people over 13 years.
Participants answered questions regarding the modes of transportation they utilized as part of a questionnaire designed to collect data on their travel patterns. Considering their answers, the researchers divided travel modes into the following four groups:
I. nonactive (participants used cars, motor vehicles, or public transportation)
II. walking
III. mixed walking (a combination of walking and nonactive modes)
IV. cycling and mixed cycling (cycling in conjunction with other transportation modes).
They used comprehensive health data with standardized codes for medical diagnosis to identify those who had dementia. Furthermore, they employed data from brain, heart, and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
The study also examined genetic factors associated with dementia, with particular focus on the APOE gene, a significant risk factor for dementia. In particular, the researchers employed two genetic markers to assess a participant’s hereditary risk. After that, they divided the participants into groups according to whether or not they had the APOE ε4 gene variant.
Study Findings: Cycling Lowers Alzheimer’s and Dementia Risk
Over a follow-up period of nearly 13 years, researchers found that 1.8% of individuals received a dementia diagnosis, including a small percentage (0.2%) who were diagnosed at a younger age. The study contrasted nonactive modes of transportation, such as driving, with different modes of transportation, like walking, cycling, or a combination of the two. According to the findings, cycling or cycling in combination with other forms of transportation significantly reduced the incidence of dementia in general and later-life dementia in particular.
For example, mix-walking mode decreased the risk of dementia by 6%, whereas cycling alone or in combination with other modes decreased the risk by 19%. Cycling or mixed cycling seemed to reduce the risk of younger-onset dementia by 40%. Conversely, walking alone appeared to raise the chance of Alzheimer’s by 14%, but cycling or combination cycling helped lower the risk by 22%.
Liangkai Chen, PhD, the study’s lead author and associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, outlined their main conclusions as follows: compared to nonactive modes, individuals who engaged in cycling or mixed cycling had a 22% lower risk of Alzheimer’s and a 19% lower risk of all-cause dementia [6].
Upon examining brain scans, researchers discovered that cycling and cycling in conjunction with other modes of transportation were associated with minor increases in gray matter volume (GMV) in specific brain regions, such as the hippocampus, which is critical for memory.
However, walking and mixed-walking transportation modes were associated with somewhat reduced gray and white matter volumes in some regions. Crucially, these changes do not indicate an increased risk of dementia, but rather demonstrate how various activities might affect the brain. This study found no discernible effects of nonactive travel, such as driving, on brain anatomy.
The study concluded that individuals who regularly rode bicycles for transportation were less likely to develop dementia than those who drove, walked, or took the bus.
Genetics didn’t change the Link Between Travel Mode and Dementia
Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that genetic risk did not affect the association between transport mode and early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Genetics did, however, play a part in late-onset dementia and all forms of dementia.
Compared to people with a specific genetic marker (APOE ε4), individuals without the marker appeared to benefit more from cycling and had a decreased risk of dementia.
Limitations and Future Prospects
Despite the intriguing and convincing nature of these findings, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations in this research.
Firstly, since younger-onset dementia is comparatively uncommon, the researchers were unable to distinguish between the various forms of cycling, which made it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion. Future research needs longer follow-up times and additional people with early-onset dementia to enhance this.
Secondly, they depended on individuals disclosing their own travel patterns, which may not always be reliable.
Thirdly, it is challenging to fully comprehend these patterns because the researchers did not monitor the evolution of travel behaviors over time.
Lastly, because the majority of individuals were of European descent, the study group lacked racial and ethnic diversity. As a result, the findings may not be applicable universally.
Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application.
You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.
References
- Veerman, L., Tarp, J., Wijaya, R., Wanjau, M.N., Möller, H., Haigh, F., Lucas, P. and Milat, A., 2025. Physical activity and life expectancy: a life-table analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 59(5), pp.333-338.
- Ried-Larsen, M., Rasmussen, M.G., Blond, K., Overvad, T.F., Overvad, K., Steindorf, K., Katzke, V., Andersen, J.L., Petersen, K.E., Aune, D. and Tsilidis, K.K., 2021. Association of Cycling with all-cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality among persons with diabetes: the European prospective investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. JAMA internal medicine, 181(9), pp.1196-1205.
- Ma, L., Ye, R. and Wang, H., 2021. Exploring the causal effects of bicycling for transportation on mental health. Transportation research part D: transport and environment, 93, p.102773.
- Logan, G., Somers, C., Baker, G., Connell, H., Gray, S., Kelly, P., McIntosh, E., Welsh, P., Gray, C.M. and Gill, J.M., 2023. Benefits, risks, barriers, and facilitators to cycling: a narrative review. Frontiers in sports and active living, 5, p.1168357.
- Hou, C., Zhang, Y., Zhao, F., Lv, Y., Luo, M., Pan, C., Ding, D. and Chen, L., 2025. Active travel mode and incident dementia and brain structure. JAMA Network Open, 8(6), pp.e2514316-e2514316.
- Pelc, C. Your brain health may benefit more from cycling than walking, study finds. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/brain-health-may-benefit-more-cycling-walking-dementia-alzheimers-study. Published Online: 19th June, 2025. Accessed: 30th June, 2025.
- Manaker, L. This Surprising Exercise May Be Better for Your Brain Than Walking, New Study Suggests. EatingWell. https://www.eatingwell.com/cycling-lower-dementia-risk-study-11757686. Published Online: 18th June, 2025. Accessed: 30th June, 2025.
- Nield, D. Cycling Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia, Study of Half a Million Finds. Science Alert. https://www.sciencealert.com/cycling-linked-to-lower-risk-of-dementia-study-of-half-a-million-finds. Published Online: 13th June, 2025. Accessed: 30th June, 2025.
