Health Benefits of Cycling as a Form of Active Travel: A Pilot Empirical Study

Integrating physical activity into daily routines through walking and cycling supports health while promoting sustainable mobility. This assumption aligns with SDGs 3, 5 and 11. This study assessed the feasibility and health impacts of cycling within a university setting. As part of the <i>UCicletas</i> program at Coimbra University, sixteen participants (8 males, 8 females) used conventional or pedal-assist bicycles for eight weeks. Descriptive analyses, <i>t</i>-tests, and Spearman correlations were applied to anthropometric and cardiorespiratory measurements collected before and after the intervention. Weekly cycling distance was obtained through self-reported odometer values. After eight weeks, notable health improvements were observed. Body fat decreased by 1.8% overall, with a significant reduction in females (<i>p</i> < 0.05). VO_2max increased by 13.79% in males (<i>p</i> = 0.02) and 12.21% in females (<i>p</i> = 0.03). The Ruffier Index decreased by 18.87% in males (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and 14.73% in females (<i>p</i> = 0.03). Gender differences were evident in correlations: male BMI showed a strong negative association with respiratory recovery (ρ = -0.867, <i>p</i> = 0.005), whereas the female association was weak (ρ = 0.371). Correlations between cycling distance and health outcomes were weak and non-significant. Overall, the findings confirm that modest daily cycling improves health outcomes.