Finnish Institute of Occupational Health media release 8 April 2025
A project by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health investigated municipal employees' commuting habits and their associations with perceived health, work ability and registered sickness absence and commuting accidents.
“In the study, we observed that active commuting on foot or by bicycle — also in combination with the use of public transport — increases the risk of commuting accidents compared to driving,” says Jenni Ervasti, Chief Researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
Cyclists have the highest risk of commuting accidents
In relation to the commuted kilometres, the estimated number of occurred accidents was highest among those who commuted primarily by walking. Per person-years, daily commuting by bicycle was associated with the highest accident risk. As the distance increased, the risk increased more for cyclists than for pedestrians.
- All-year-round bicycle commuters had, on average, 2.8 more commuting accidents per hundred person-years than car drivers.
- On average, 2.5 more commuting accidents per hundred person-years occurred to the most active cycling commuters compared to those who did not cycle at all.
- The highest commuting accident risk per commuted kilometres was among pedestrians. This may partly be due to their relatively shorter commute distances.
“Overall, cycling to and from work, especially during winter conditions, seems to increase the risk of commuting accidents,” says Ervasti.
Regular commuting by bicycle improves work ability
According to the study, increased and regular active commuting is linked to improved perceived health and work ability. In addition, commuting by bicycle was associated with lower risk of sickness absence, and the most active cyclists were estimated to have as many as 531 fewer sickness absence days per hundred person-years compared to passive commuters.
When comparing cyclists’ higher risk of commuting accidents with their lower risk of sickness absences, the benefits of cycling appear to outweigh the disadvantages posed by the short periods of work disability caused by accidents.
However, for these benefits to occur, regular and rather strenuous commuting physical activity may be required.
"Occasional commuting by bicycle or by walking with typically short distances were not associated with benefits. However, regular commuting physical activity, particularly cycling, seems to be beneficial for health and work ability, even when considering the increased risk of commuting accidents," says Researcher Essi Kalliolahti from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
Active commuting should be supported
A healthy population with good work ability reduces the healthcare burden and the costs caused by sickness absence, which benefits both the employers and society at large.
That is why employers should encourage their employees to engage in regular active commuting, especially cycling, by providing incentives and resources.
"Safety and appropriate equipment should be taken into account to ensure that the work ability benefits are not undermined by a serious accident. A bicycle helmet is the minimum safety requirement, regardless of the weather conditions, and in winter, studded tyres can help reduce the risk of accidents," says Kalliolahti.
The results of the study also encourage urban planning that promotes bicycle commuting and improves the safety of cyclists. Walking and cycling are sustainable means of transport. Increasing their share reduces carbon emissions and thus improves the air quality in cities.
Further information
- Jenni Ervasti, Chief Researcher, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. +358 (0)43 825 5475, jenni.ervasti@ttl.fi
- Essi Kalliolahti, Researcher, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. +358 (0)50 304 7821, essi.kalliolahti@ttl.fi
Study:
- Research report in Julkari (in Finnish)
- More information about the project
- The study was funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund and the Strategic Research Council.
