Over the past several years, research trends have consistently shown that rates of physical activity [1] and mental health levels [2] are decreasing. However, cycling has emerged as a powerful tool to support overall health and mental wellbeing, all while getting some physical activity in, and it’s amazing to see the increasing body of research demonstrating the potential cycling has to positively impact well-being.

At Outride, our research team explores the impact of cycling on social, emotional, and cognitive health through collaboration with researchers, schools, and community partners on impactful research projects and by amplifying the incredible work that’s being done all around the world. Over the course of the past few months, we shared our work with a global community across multiple events, while also learning about how others around the world are using cycling as a tool to support the wellbeing of their communities. Below are just a few highlights of the work of researchers and community leaders we met along the way. We hope their work inspires you just as much as it inspired us!

______________________________

1. At the Cycling and Society Symposium, Christopher Johnson of Cycling Scotland presented on the present and future of Cycling Scotland’s Bikeability programme. Bikeability Scotland [3] is the national school cycling training program in Scotland, often implemented during primary school. The program has been successful in increasing student riding knowledge and cycling frequency and is implemented in nearly 2 out of 3 primary schools in Scotland. Cycling Scotland’s counterparts at Bikeability UK [4] a separate entity, have also reported that students who have gone through level 2 of their program also report higher levels of wellbeing, and are more likely to use active transportation, than those who did not complete the training [5].

In line with Bikeability’s results, we also see trends from our Riding for Focus school data [6] that show that regular cycling is associated with better student well-being.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if more students in the US also had access to school-based cycling programming? Check out Outride’s Riding for Focus grant – middle schools can apply October 27th, 2025 - February 28th, 2026!

2. At the Cycling Research Board Annual Meeting, Charles Brown opened the conference with a keynote presentation on the importance of creating Equitable Cities [7] that reinvest in infrastructure by leveraging the community’s knowledge and preferences to revamp streets and help all experience the benefits of bicycling.

Outride knows how important community voices are, which is why we empower local cycling communities to build supportive environments and programming for people to discover the amazing benefits of the bike through our Community Impact Grant. Check out the list of 2025 Community Impact Grant recipients here and see if there’s an organization near you to learn about this work in action!

3. At the global cycling conference Velo-City, Maria Amrani of the Danish Cyclists’ Federation presented her work on “Mental well-being through cycling community engagement” [8]. Maria presented on a Denmark-based program that uses inclusive group bike rides to support people with chronic illness, addiction, and social isolation, with the rides focusing on connection over speed. The result - 78% of participants return regularly and 80% report better mental health and increased cycling habits, highlighting a strong potential for cycling to support wellbeing through social connection, sense of belonging, and physical activity.

4. At the IMBA Europe Summit, Scott Cornish of Perform Unbound [9] shared his work highlighting the positive intersection between neurodiversity and the bike.

In this session, Scott shared his personal story and struggles of growing up feeling like he didn’t quite fit into the world around him. Later in life, he was diagnosed with dyslexia, and mentioned he displays many characteristics of ADHD, and mild autism. From that point on, things all started to make sense for him. He credited outdoor adventures, like cycling, for helping him build his confidence and social connections, to challenge himself, and to support his overall wellbeing. He’s now dedicated to supporting others going through similar journeys through his work with Perform Unbound.

5. At the Indian Health Services Maternal and Child Health Symposium, Vernon T. Jacques spoke about the rising rates of social media use among youth and the negative implications for mental health. At Outride, our data shows that nearly 75% of students do not meet the recommendations for daily screen time [6] spending more than 2 hours a day on screens for non-school purposes. Increasing biking is one way to take a break from screen time among youth and can positively impact mental health.

Attending these events deepened our understanding of the research being conducted around the impact cycling can have on the health and well-being of communities worldwide. Cycling is not merely a mode of physical activity, but a powerful tool for strengthening communities, supporting emotional well-being, and enhancing cognitive performance. Socially, cycling creates opportunities for connection – shared routes, group rides, intergenerational programs, and inclusive bike initiatives that build trust, reduce isolation, and foster a sense of belonging in neighborhoods [10, 11]. Emotionally, a growing body of research reinforces what many riders already feel: the rhythmic motion of pedaling, time outdoors, and a sense of agency all contribute to reduced stress, improved mood, and greater resilience in facing life’s challenges [12, 13, 14]. Cognitively, evidence suggests that cycling can sharpen attention, bolster executive function, and even contribute to long-term brain health [10, 15].

While the evidence is strong, it also invites further exploration – especially around populations that have historically been underrepresented in this research. So while Outride remains committed to increasing cycling access to youth in underserved communities and understanding the benefits of cycling in these populations, we are also beginning to deepen our understanding of the bike’s potential across the lifespan. Through our partnership with Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland and Edinburgh Napier University, we are eager to explore how a mountain biking trail therapy program my impact the social, emotional, and cognitive well-being of older adults 55+ years and older. And we’re continuing to explore opportunities to better understand the power of cycling to support brain health across the life span right here in the US.

We are honored to be part of this work and are excited to continue our research to better understand how we can support increasing access to biking so more people can experience its benefits.

Want to learn more about our work? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things Outride or join our research pool to be among the first to hear about upcoming projects, see how you can get involved, and connect with other like-minded organizations and researchers in our community. Let’s continue working together to bring the magic of bikes to all people.

Resource List

Research in Motion: Outride’s Highlights from Global Cycling Conferences Summer 2025