An elixir of youth?

It may sound like a dubious claim from the makers of a pot of expensive sludge, but new research by actual scientists has discovered that cycling can slow the effects of ageing and rejuvenate the immune system.

This adds to the growing body of evidence of just how good it is as a form of exercise. It’s even listed on the NHS website under the Livewell section, which says cycling is “one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine because it’s also a form of transport”. Cycling Weekly goes further, listing a total of 15 benefits, including sleeping better, an improved sex life and the ability to enjoy a guilt-free second breakfast. One could also add reduced congestion and less air pollution in cities.

One of the main obstacles to more people taking up cycling appears to be the fear of being involved in an accident, even though the numbers of people killed or seriously injured are relatively low. So creating more dedicated cycleways could have a significant effect on the quality of the lives of us all, whether we are cyclists keeping fit and staying young, pedestrians breathing cleaner air or motorists driving along quieter roads.