Employees who commute by bicycle may take fewer sick days and experience fewer long-term absences, according to new research from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The study found that cycling is linked to fewer sick days, with workers who cycled at least 18.6 miles (30 km) per week having an 8-12% lower risk of calling out sick and an 18% lower chance of extended absences lasting 10 or more days.

The Link Between Cycling and Reduced Absences

The study followed more than 28,000 municipal employees over one- and two-year periods, tracking their commuting habits and comparing them with employer records of sickness absences. The findings showed that those who cycled the most—at least 38 miles (61 km) per week — averaged 4.5 fewer sickness absence days per year than employees who relied on cars or public transport.

According to Essi Kalliolahti, PhD researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the University of Eastern Finland, the study “investigated the connection between the commuting habits of municipal employees and their relative and absolute risk of sickness absence.” The results revealed that only high-dose cycling commuters saw a significant reduction in absences while walking alone did not show the same protective effect against sick leave.

Why Cycling Stands Out

Although both walking and cycling were examined, the study suggests that cycling provides more significant health benefits when it comes to reducing sick days. Possible explanations include:

• Cycling covers greater distances, increasing overall physical activity.
• Higher-intensity exercise may be more effective in preventing sickness-related absences.
• Walking commutes tend to be shorter, making it harder to accumulate enough activity to see the same benefits.
• Additionally, low-dose active commuting—primarily short walking commutes—was linked to a slightly higher rate of short-term absences, suggesting that both distance and intensity matter when it comes to the health benefits of active commuting.

Encouraging More Employees to Cycle

“Knowing that only half of the adult population exercises according to the recommendations, commuting on foot or by bike can be a useful way to increase health-promoting exercise,” said Jenni Ervasti, Chief Researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

Ervasti also emphasized that “the results of the study provide additional reasons to encourage and invest in an active commuting style, and especially commuting by bike.”

While cycling isn’t an option for every employee, those who can bike to work may improve their health and reduce their risk of taking time off due to illness. The study suggests employers would benefit from encouraging employees to use active commuting. Employers could invest in incentives such as bicycle benefits, bicycle parking, and changing rooms with showers.

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