Car drivers are four kilos heavier than cyclists

People who travel a lot by car and do little exercise are on average four kilograms heavier than cyclists or pedestrians. This is shown by a Europe-wide EU-funded study, which the Imperial College London and the WHO. The analysis shows how different means of transportation influence physical activity and therefore also health.

11,000 participants

While the researchers are still testing whether there is a relationship between mode of transportation and body weight, the results are encouraging, according to Adrian Davis, one of the researchers. "We don't have cause-and-effect causality yet, but we hope that the initial results will encourage people to participate in the study so that we can get more data and get a relationship between transportation choices and health."

The researchers have so far asked 11,000 volunteers in seven European cities how they get around the city, what means of transportation they use and how much time they need for their journeys. The study participants also stated their height and weight as well as their basic attitudes towards cycling and walking.

Study participants wanted in Zurich

The study shows that urban design and personal transportation choices play a significant role in health. "Encouraging people to move is the ideal solution to tackle the epidemic of physical inactivity," emphasizes Davis. The researchers are currently still looking for 14,000 volunteers in the cities of Antwerp, Barcelona, London, Orebro, Rome, Zurich and Vienna to take part in the study.

Source: Press release