Can something as simple as walking, wheeling and cycling more have a big impact on how we feel? To mark International Day of Happiness we asked members of our Facebook page dedicated to The National Cycle Network if cycling and walking makes them happier. In this blog we also hear from our colleagues on links between cycling and happiness for them.
This year’s International Day of Happiness theme is 'caring and sharing'. Credit: Jon Bewley
Ultimate happiness is something that we all desire and strive towards.
But according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, happiness levels across the nation fell from 2022 to 2023.
Can something as simple as walking, wheeling [1] and cycling more have a big impact on our happiness levels?
We know that cycling and walking release our ‘feel-good’ hormones called endorphins – these hormones make you feel relaxed and happier. This boosts your mood and reduces your feelings of anxiety.
Whether it’s getting out into nature, feeling a natural high from moving our body or an opportunity to socialise - travelling actively means different things for different people.
More than 40 of you took the chance to express your views on our National Cycle Network Facebook post on how travelling actively impacts your happiness and whether you notice a change in your mood when you travel actively.
We also asked our colleagues for their thoughts on the links between cycling, walking and happiness on a personal level too.
A sense of freedom
Gillian Wood, who has rheumatoid arthritis, wrote about how cycling enables them to move all day.
“Riding my tricycle has given me my freedom back.
“I have rheumatoid arthritis and can't walk far, but can cycle all day, with a little electric assist.
“I come home on a high. I usually go out with friends, we do 40 to 60 miles on average in summer.
“It's a day out, but cycling. I also volunteer with British cycling as a Breeze leader, guiding rides for women. Cycling has given me a new life.”
Daniel Ricketts also commented:
“Being on my bike gives me such a sense of freedom and going off-road on either Sustrans paths or bridleways and tracks is the best mental health medicine I can get.”
Benefits for the mind and body
Sally Anne described cycling as their medicine:
“I cycle every day unless there is a storm.
“It is my 'medication', it helps me feel normal and helps me maintain good physical and mental health.
“I am fully immersed in my surroundings, hearing the birds, feeling the sun and fresh air on my face, seeing nature, smelling the seasons.
“I absolutely love cycling my trike daily and really feel it if I can't get out.”
Scott Hnry called getting out on their bike a pure escape from his condition:
“I suffer with a long-term illness that affects me greatly every second of the day.
“Only able to eat liquid foods and in pain constantly.
“Getting out on my bike is a pure escape from being ill and for the time I'm out my mind is focused on the feeling of freedom from the negativities of life and can escape to the fresh air along with some scenic views.”
Whether it’s getting out into nature, feeling a natural high from moving our body or an opportunity to socialise - travelling actively means different things for different people. Credit: Brian Sweeney
Gwen Eccleston said cycling has helped with feelings of anxiety:
“In 2018 I was diagnosed with severe anxiety.
“I found cycling was one of the few things to quiet my mind as you have to focus on lots of things when on the road, but it also gave me a sense of achievement and happiness when I reached a new location.
“Highlights included a scenic lake, petting horses and a donkey, standing in front of a stately home 30 miles away and greeting cyclists on empty country lanes.
"I no longer cycle long distances and I manage the anxiety but I'm helping to care for someone and I cycle on the canal to and from their home.
"This gives me head space and I love seeing the canals through all seasons and weather's as they are very scenic.
"The journey takes 15 minutes by bike, 20 minutes by car in traffic and over half an hour by bus so cycling just makes sense for health and the environment."
Connecting with nature
Rachel Wieck wrote about the joys of watching the seasons change from the saddle:
“I absolutely love getting on my bike for either a short errand, a commute or an adventure. For the latter, it's the joy of being completely self-sufficient.
“And of course the fitness benefits are just great. I feel great, even if the route involves cycling uphill.
“It's wonderful to be outdoors, and regular cycling along the same routes is great to see the changing of seasons, such as the spring flowers emerging, or the autumn leaves falling.”
Sam Hendley commented:
“When you’re out there breathing the fresh air and being in nature it doesn’t feel like ‘exercise’ at all.”
Cycling and walking release our ‘feel-good’ hormones called endorphins – these hormones make you feel relaxed and happier. Credit: Jonathan Bewley
We also heard from our colleagues on how cycling and walking boosts their mood.
Project Officer, Andrea López-Alba said:
"I've noticed that I feel calm and relaxed when cycling through nature. I definitely feel happier."
Lila Wordsworth, who also works at Sustrans as a Project Officer said:
"When I'm on my bike I feel a sense of euphoria and power in my body.
"The leaps in effort when going up hills help regulate my mood and energy levels and improve my focus."
Graduate Urban Designer, Paloma Prasad agreed that cycling and walking have an impact on their happiness:
"I feel better when I'm outdoors and less claustrophobic.
"Every walk doesn't look the same which I love and it always keeps things interesting.
"I feel more open and inviting after a walk. I might start my walk with a particular mindset and at the end, with a completely different-more positive one.
"It also keeps me healthy and my move goals for the day are achieved, which always feels like an accomplishment."
Our London Director, Oli Ivens commented:
"Cycling is a daily stress release. It's the break between work, it's the escape from the big city.
"As a child, cycling was freedom. It meant staying that bit later with a friend, choosing my own route, arriving when I wanted to and the ability to socialise while on the move.
"Cycling supports childhood independence, and is there any greater way to make a teenager happy?
"Despite years of experience, while cycling it's noticeable how powerful protected infrastructure is.
"So often I'll feel my shoulders completely relax as I come off the busy road.
"If we're going to invite people to cycle on busy roads, it's clear protected lanes are crucial to increasing confidence and happiness."
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts.
[1] We recognise that some people who use wheeled mobility aids, for example a wheelchair or a mobility scooter, may not identify with the term walking and may prefer to use the term wheeling. We use the terms walking and wheeling together to ensure we are as inclusive as possible.
