In a groundbreaking paper published in JAMA Network Open, researchers analyzed the transportation habits of nearly half a million adults and discovered that bicycling stood out among all forms of travel for its brain-protective benefits.
The team looked at over 479,000 adults in the UK Biobank, with an average age of 56.5 years at the start of the study. None had signs of dementia when the data collection began. Over the next 13 years, researchers tracked their health—and found that those who regularly traveled by bicycle had the lowest rates of dementia.
That includes all forms of the disease: Alzheimer’s, young-onset, and late-onset dementia.
Even more impressive, MRI scans revealed that these same individuals had better retention of hippocampal volume—a key brain region involved in memory and learning. Shrinkage of the hippocampus is one of the earliest signs of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s.
In other words, cycling doesn’t just help your heart and joints. It may also slow down age-related brain decline.
And no, you don’t need to join a spin class or clock miles like a Tour de France rider.
The participants weren’t athletes. Most were just regular people who used their bike to run errands, ride to the park, or visit a friend. The act of cycling itself—combining physical movement with spatial navigation—is believed to be the winning combo that stimulates the brain in powerful ways.
Even mixing bicycling with another type of transport (like walking or taking the bus) showed brain benefits.
Those without the APOE ε4 gene variant—the one linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk—saw the greatest benefit. But even those with the gene still saw improvements, meaning this is something nearly everyone can do to improve brain health.
Of course, it’s no surprise that mainstream medicine isn’t shouting this from the rooftops. After all, there’s no drug to sell here. No new prescription. No monthly refill.
But that’s exactly why we’re sharing it.
Because here at the e-Alert, we believe prevention comes from movement, nutrition, and knowledge—not a pill bottle.
So what can you do today? - Dust off your bike and take a short ride around the block.
- If biking outdoors feels unsafe, consider a stationary bike.
- Combine gentle cycling with a scenic route to give your brain more stimulation.
And don’t worry if you’re just getting started. Studies like this suggest it’s the habit, not the speed, that matters.
As we age, preserving brain health is one of the most important gifts we can give ourselves. Riding a bike may feel like child’s play… but it turns out it’s one of the smartest moves you can make for your mind.
To cycling for your brain,
Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team
P.S. This ancient herb just got a major brain-boosting upgrade.
Sources:
Yirka, B. (2025, June 11). Bicycling tied to reduced dementia risk and greater hippocampal volume retention. Medicalxpress.com; Medical Xpress. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-bicycling-dementia-greater-hippocampal-volume.html
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