People who are able to bike to work may lower the number of days they call off sick, as well as their risk of long-term sickness-related absences, according to a new study from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
The Finnish researchers looked at data for more than 28,000 workers, analysing their degree of active commuting to work – which also included walking – as well as employer data on employee sick days.
They found that, compared with workers who drove or used public transportation for their commute, the people who “most actively” biked to work – meaning they covered at least 18.6 miles a week – were 8% to 12% less likely to call out sick.
They also averaged four to five fewer sick days a year and had an 18% lower risk of experiencing long-term sick-related absences (at least 10 days).
Jenni Ervasti, study co-author and chief researcher at the Institute, said the findings “provide additional reasons to encourage and invest in an active commuting style, and especially commuting by bike.”
The study was published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.
