Biking Life Gain Calculator
Calculate how cycling extends your life expectancy and improves longevity
Calculate Your Biking Life Gain
Average time you spend biking per day when you cycle
How many days per week you bike
Months per year you maintain cycling habit
Age when you started/will start regular cycling
Age when you plan to stop regular cycling
Average life expectancy in your country (US: 78.9, Netherlands: 82.3)
Your Biking Life Gain Results
Weekly Cycling Guidelines
Example Scenarios
Commuter Cyclist
Daily: 30 minutes
Frequency: 5 days/week, 10 months/year
Duration: 25-65 years (40 years)
Life gain: ~6 months
Weekly total: 2.5 hours
Recreational Cyclist
Daily: 1 hour
Frequency: 3 days/week, 8 months/year
Duration: 30-70 years (40 years)
Life gain: ~10 months
Weekly total: 3 hours
Enthusiast Cyclist
Daily: 1.5 hours
Frequency: 4 days/week, 12 months/year
Duration: 20-65 years (45 years)
Life gain: ~2+ years
Weekly total: 6 hours
Cycling Health Benefits
Cardiovascular Health
Strengthens heart, improves circulation
Mental Health
Reduces stress, anxiety, depression
Muscle Strength
Builds leg strength, core stability
Weight Control
Burns calories, maintains healthy weight
Research Background
University of Utrecht Study: 50,000 Dutch participants tracked for transport choices and health outcomes.
Key Finding: 75+ minutes weekly cycling correlates with ~6 months life extension.
Prevention Impact: ~11,000 premature deaths prevented annually in Netherlands through cycling.
Speed Assumption: 12-20 km/h (7-12 mph) average commuting speed.
Understanding Biking Life Gain
How It Works
Research from the University of Utrecht found that regular cycling provides a roughly 1:1 return on time invested - for every hour you spend cycling, you gain approximately one hour of life expectancy.
The Science
- •Cardiovascular Benefits: Strengthens heart muscle and improves circulation
- •Metabolic Health: Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism
- •Mental Health: Reduces stress hormones and releases endorphins
- •Immune System: Enhances immune function and reduces inflammation
Diminishing Returns
Moderate Cycling (1-5h/week)
Full 1:1 time return ratio. Optimal health benefits per hour invested.
High Activity (5-10h/week)
Slight diminishing returns but still excellent health benefits.
Very High Activity (10+h/week)
More significant diminishing returns, but maximum health optimization.
Important Notes
- • Results based on recreational/commuter cycling at 12-20 km/h
- • Individual results may vary based on genetics and health status
- • Benefits compound with other healthy lifestyle choices
- • Regular cycling provides benefits beyond life extension