Using a bicycle for daily transportation may significantly lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. The findings indicate that regular cycling is associated with a 19% reduced risk of developing dementia and a 22% lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
Researchers suggest that cycling might even promote brain health by increasing the size of the hippocampus—a critical brain region for memory and learning.
“Cycling is a moderate to high-intensity activity that also involves balance and coordination. These additional challenges may engage more complex brain functions than walking, potentially making cycling more effective at reducing the risk of dementia,” explained Dr. Liron Sinvani, director of geriatric services at Northwell Health in Manhasset, New York.
She added, “It’s not just about adding exercise to your day—it’s about rethinking how you move through life. Opting to bike instead of drive can turn transportation into an opportunity for brain-boosting activity.”
The study analyzed data from nearly 480,000 participants in the UK Biobank—a long-term health research project involving people from England, Scotland, and Wales. Participants reported their usual modes of transportation, excluding work commutes. Researchers then followed them for an average of 13 years.
During that period, over 8,800 participants were diagnosed with dementia, including nearly 4,000 cases of Alzheimer’s disease. Those who regularly used bicycles—either alone or alongside walking, driving, or public transit—showed significantly lower risks of both conditions.
“Promoting active transportation like cycling could be a low-cost, sustainable strategy for reducing dementia risk in middle-aged and older adults,” stated the research team led by Associate Professor Liankai Chen from Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China.
MRI scans included in the study revealed that individuals who cycled regularly had larger hippocampal volumes. This area of the brain is crucial for memory retention and learning capabilities.
Interestingly, the benefits of cycling were more pronounced in individuals who do not carry the APOE E4 gene variant, which is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Among non-carriers, cycling was associated with a 26% reduced risk of dementia and a 25% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk.
However, the study found that APOE E4 carriers did not experience statistically significant benefits from cycling, suggesting that genetic factors may influence how much exercise protects brain health.
In addition to cycling, researchers found that driving was linked to better cognitive outcomes compared to using buses or subways.
“Even passive transportation like driving seems to have a slightly better effect on brain health than public transit,” noted Dr. Sinvani.
Still, the strongest protective effect was associated with cycling, emphasizing the value of physical activity that also requires balance and mental coordination.
As an observational study, this research cannot confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship between cycling and cognitive health. However, the evidence aligns with broader research showing that physical activity supports brain function.
“When patients or family members ask me how to reduce their risk of dementia, I always recommend any form of outdoor activity,” said Dr. Sinvani. “We’re beginning to understand that it’s not just about movement—it’s about the kind of movement. Cycling challenges your body and brain in ways that can keep both in better shape.”
She concluded with practical advice: “If you can ride a bike—do it. But if you can’t, walking is still far better than staying sedentary. If your choice is between biking and walking, choose biking. But if the choice is between walking and doing nothing—then walk.”
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