Editing Cycling (section)

=== Mental health ===
The effects of cycling on overall mental health have often been studied. A European study surveying participants from seven cities about self-perceived health based on primary modes of transportation reported favorable results in the bicycle use population.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Avila-Palencia |first1=Ione |last2=Int Panis |first2=Luc |last3=Dons |first3=Evi |last4=Gaupp-Berghausen |first4=Mailin |last5=Raser |first5=Elisabeth |last6=Götschi |first6=Thomas |last7=Gerike |first7=Regine |last8=Brand |first8=Christian |last9=de Nazelle |first9=Audrey|last10=Orjuela|first10=Juan Pablo |last11=Anaya-Boig |first11=Esther |date=1 November 2018 |title=The effects of transport mode use on self-perceived health, mental health, and social contact measures: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study |journal=Environment International |volume=120 |pages=199–206 |doi=10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.002 |pmid=30098553 |bibcode=2018EnInt.120..199A |issn=0160-4120 |hdl=10044/1/62973 |s2cid=51965322 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> The bicycle use group reported predominantly good self-perceived health, less perceived stress, better mental health, better vitality, and less loneliness. The study attributed these results to possible economic benefits and senses of both independence and identity as a member of a cyclist community. An English study recruiting non-cyclist older adults aged 50 to 83 to participate as either conventional pedal bike cyclists, electrically assisted e-bike cyclists, or a non-cyclist control group in outdoor trails measured cognitive function through executive function, spatial reasoning, and memory tests and well-being through questionnaires.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Leyland |first1=Louise-Ann |last2=Spencer |first2=Ben |last3=Beale |first3=Nick |last4=Jones |first4=Tim |last5=van Reekum |first5=Carien M. |date=2019 |title=The effect of cycling on cognitive function and well-being in older adults |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=e0211779 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0211779 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=6388745 |pmid=30785893 |bibcode=2019PLoSO..1411779L |doi-access=free}}</ref> The study did not find significant differences in spatial reasoning or memory tests. It did, however, find that both cyclists groups had improved executive function and well-being, both with greater improvement in the e-bike group. This suggested that non-physical factors of cycling such as independence, engagement with the outdoor environment, and mobility play a greater role in improving mental health.

A 15-month randomized controlled trial in the U.S. examined the impact of self-paced cycling on cognitive function in institutionalized older adults without cognitive impairment.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Varela |first1=Silvia |last2=Cancela |first2=José M. |last3=Seijo-Martinez |first3=Manuel |last4=Ayán |first4=Carlos |date=1 October 2018 |title=Self-Paced Cycling Improves Cognition on Institutionalized Older Adults Without Known Cognitive Impairment: A 15-Month Randomized Controlled Trial |journal=Journal of Aging and Physical Activity |volume=26 |issue=4 |pages=614–623 |doi=10.1123/japa.2017-0135 |pmid=29431549 |s2cid=46880181 |issn=1063-8652|hdl=11093/6143 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Researchers used three cognitive assessments: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Fuld object memory evaluation, and symbol digit modality test. The study found that long-term cycling for at least 15 minutes per day in older adults without cognitive impairment had a protective effect on cognition and attention.

Cycling has also been shown to be effective adjunct therapy in certain mental health conditions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Karssemeijer |first1=E. G. A. |last2=Bossers |first2=W. J. R. |last3=Aaronson |first3=J. A. |last4=Kessels |first4=R. P. C. |last5=Olde Rikkert |first5=M. G. M. |date=21 March 2017 |title=The effect of an interactive cycling training on cognitive functioning in older adults with mild dementia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial |journal=BMC Geriatrics |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=73 |doi=10.1186/s12877-017-0464-x |issn=1471-2318 |pmc=5361710 |pmid=28327083 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ryu |first1=Jehkwang |last2=Jung |first2=Jae Hoon |last3=Kim |first3=Jiheon |last4=Kim |first4=Chan-Hyung |last5=Lee |first5=Hwa-Bock |last6=Kim |first6=Do-Hoon |last7=Lee |first7=Sang-Kyu |last8=Shin |first8=Ji-Hyeon |last9=Roh |first9=Daeyoung |date=21 October 2019 |title=Outdoor cycling improves clinical symptoms, cognition and objectively measured physical activity in patients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial |journal=Journal of Psychiatric Research |volume=120 |pages=144–153 |doi=10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.10.015 |issn=1879-1379 |pmid=31678749 |doi-access=free}}</ref>