Overview of doorings in Montreal
Health benefits
Discover the often-overlooked benefits of cycling, for your health and for society
Discover all 4 subjects of the thematic
1
A Daily Exercise
The population of Quebec is less and less active. This situation induces various health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and clinical obesity. Introducing more physical activity in our everyday lives contributes to prevent this tendency. Replacing car trips by biking is a simple, efficient and practical way to do so.
A Population Not Active Enough
Regular exercise, the key for a healthy lifestyle
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity at moderate intensity every week for an adult and 60 minutes for children/adolescents. Unfortunately, as it is the case everywhere in the world, this recommendation is less and less followed in Quebec, particularly for youth, women and elderly people, causing significant public health risks.
Sources: (Worldwide Adults) Strain, T., Flaxman, S. et al. (2024). National, regional and global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 507 population-based surveys with 5,7 millions participants. The Lancet Global Health (Vol 12). - (Worldwide Adolescents) Guthold, R., Stevens, G. A., Riley, L. M. and Bull, F. C. (2020). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1,6 million participants. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (Vol 4). - (Canada/Quebec) Public Health Agency of Canada. Canadian Risk Factor Atlas, 2024 edition
Fatality and Chronic Diseases in Quebec
Lack of physical activity is one of the principal factors of health risks.
Currently in Quebec, the most common causes of death are cancers and cardiovascular diseases, which can be associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of physical activity also contributes to more than 25 other chronic diseases from which many Canadians and Quebecer suffer such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and clinical obesity.
Diseases with an asterisk (*) are in part related to a lack of physical activity - COPD = Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sources : (Deaths) Institut de la statistique du Québec (2024). Le bilan démographique du Québec. Édition 2024. - (Chronic diseases) Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute and Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (2023). The Price of Inactivity: Measuring the Powerful Impact of Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in Canada. - (Obesity) Public Health Agency of Canada (2017). Tackling Obesity in Canada: Obesity and Excess Weight Rates in Canadian Adults
Biking for as little as 3 km every day is an excellent way to integrate regular physical activity to your lifestyle.
Benefits of Daily Biking
Not just a sport, a way to get around!
Moderate physical activity everyday has more health benefits than occasional intense sessions. Biking to get to work or do every day errands is a great way to include physical activity in a busy schedule and reduce the risks of chronic diseases and fatality.
Life expectancy
+1 year
for someone commuting 7 km (one-way trip) by bike instead of by car
Type 2 diabetes
- 30 to -40%
lower risk of developing the disease
Cardiovascular diseases
-20 à -35%
lower risk of developing the disease
Breast and colorectal cancers
-20 to -30%
lower risk of developing the disease
Hospitalization
-10%
lower risk of being hospitalized
Sources:
- (Life expectancy) Cepeda, M., Schoufour, J. et al. (2017). Levels of ambiant air pollution according to mode of transport; a systematic review. The Lancet Public Health, Volume 2
- (Diseases) Götschi, T., Garrard, J. and Giles-Corti, B. (2016). Cycling as a Part of Daily Life: A Review of Health Perspectives. Transport Reviews, Volume 36
- (Hospitalization) Friel, C., Walsh, D. et al. (2024). Health benefits of pedestrian and cyclist commuting: evidence fro; the Scottish Longitudinal Study. BMJ Public Health, Volume 2
Pedaling for Your Wellbeing
Physical activity also has multiple mental health benefits.
Biking yields a feeling of freedom, relaxation and, mostly, fun! Getting on a bike everyday improves wellbeing, reduces the risks of depression and stress. It also improves the autonomy of more vulnerable people and reinforces social cohesion.
It is well documented that regular physical activity helps reducing risks of depression, despite the fact that the World Health Organization recommendations are still not fully implemented on this issue. People who are physically active on a daily basis have a 17% lower risk of developing depression. The risk of other mental issues (stress, anxiety, sleeping troubles, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, schizophrenia, addictions) or the loss of cognitive faculties with age can be reduced with a more active lifestyle.
Knowing that a Canadian out of five will suffer of a mental condition during his or her lifespan, encouraging active transportation is great public health measure.
Access to biking improves (or prolongs) the autonomy and independence of certain groups of the population who cannot have or use a car, such has children, the elderly and people experiencing socio-economic precarity. So, in addition to its contribution to global wellbeing, biking contributes to the reduction of social inequities by improving access to services (education, health) and professional opportunities.
On their trips, pedestrians and cyclists have more social interactions, particularly with their neighbours. These unexpected encounters can lead to stronger relations and contribute to social cohesion of communities. Biking is not just a means of transportation; it is also a social activity!
Amongst all modes of transportation, various studies around the world showed that walking and biking provide satisfaction to their users, no matter the weather. Beyond the physical activity benefits, this is explained by the social interactions occuring during the trips and because users have full control of their trip, are more punctual and simply enjoy more their trips.
What About Electric Bikes?
Riding an electric bike requires obviously less energy, but cyclist using ebikes tend to cover longer distances and for longer period of time. Therefore, they reach similar level of physical activity to other cyclists and enjoy the same health benefits. Whether it is with an electrical assistance or not, pedaling is all that matters!
Pedaling with an assistance requires 76 %of the energy for a traditional bike.
Average trip duration made with an electric bike32.2 min
Average trip duration made with a traditional bike30.3 min
Average daily distance covered with an electric bike8.0 km
Average daily distance covered with a traditional bike5.3 km
Credits:
- (Energy Spending) Halfpoint/AdobeStock
- (Trip Duration) Markus Spiske on Unsplash
- (Distance) Freepik/AdobeStock
Public Finances and Health Spending
Health spending is currently one most important in the provincial and federal budgets, and they keep increasing every year.
372billion dollars (12.4% of GDP)
+5.7% of increase per year
59.4billion dollars (10.1% of GDP)
7.3%of increase per year
Data sources:
- (Canada) Canadian Institute for Health Information (2024). National health expenditure trends, 2024 - Snapshot
- (Québec) Finances Québec (2024). Budget 2024-2025, Priorités Santé Éducation, Plan budgetaire
Credits: © VQ Fleo
Economic Impact of Biking
Encouraging physical activity and active transportation to reduce health spending
In Canada, the cost of physical inactivity is estimated at 6.8 billion dollars every year. This estimation includes the higher mortality rate but also medical fees associated with the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancers, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and depression. Promoting physical activity, notably through active transportation, is therefore essential.
Number of Weekly Hours Spent Biking in 2020 in Quebec
14 million hours
Deaths Avoided Every Year Because of Biking in Quebec
724 deaths
Savings in Public Health Spending Because of Biking in Quebec
$2 billion
per year
Source: Vélo Québec (2021). L'état du vélo au Québec en 2020
Conversion of weekly cycling time into avoided deaths and economic savings using the Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) for walking and cycling developed by the World Health Organization
