Scoping review of 87 studies shows bicycling interventions improve psychological and cognitive well-being across 19 countries

Photo by Munbaik Cycling Clothing / Unsplash

Frontiers in Medicine Published May 25, 2026 Medically reviewed May 25, 2026 Study authors: Lauren Schuck, Brandie Reisman, Esther Walker, Seth Wiafe, Sean M. Wilson, Cian L. Brown DOI ↗ By Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

Key Takeaway

Consider bicycling as a multidimensional modality for promoting well-being while noting limitations in current evidence.

This scoping review examines 87 studies from 19 countries to evaluate the impact of bicycling interventions on well-being. Interventions included cycling on trails or roads, stationary forms, acute sessions, and both indoor and outdoor formats. The primary outcome focused on psychological, social, affective, and cognitive well-being, while secondary outcomes assessed cardiovascular fitness, body composition, metabolic health, mood, depressive symptoms, social connection, and cognitive functioning.

The review reports notable improvements in well-being domains. Specifically, mood showed positive impacts, depressive symptoms were reduced, social connection increased, and cognitive functioning was enhanced. However, effect sizes and absolute numbers were not reported for these outcomes. The authors highlight that affective and cognitive outcomes varied significantly by intervention type, context, and population characteristics.

Safety data, including adverse events and discontinuations, were not reported in the included studies. The authors emphasize that a majority of the 87 studies implemented acute, indoor bicycling interventions. They identify a need for translational and inclusive community-based research that extends beyond indoor environments to better understand how unique bicycling features promote holistic well-being.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedMay 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Bicycling, inclusive of cycling on trail or road, and stationary forms, is recognized for its substantial physical benefits and has gained attention for its broader impact on dimensions of well-being. Evidence demonstrates that bicycling improves cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and metabolic health while serving as an effective strategy for exercise promotion and disease prevention. Beyond physical outcomes, growing evidence supports bicycling's impact on psychological and cognitive domains of well-being from large associative studies, active travel, and bicycling programs. This scoping review synthesizes research examining the impact of bicycling interventions on psychological, social, affective, and cognitive domains of well-being. Database searches of EBSCOhost, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, and PubMed identified relevant studies. Of the 1,653 studies identified, 87 studies met inclusion criteria. A majority of studies implemented acute, indoor bicycling interventions assessing cognitive outcomes. Synthesized results indicate positive impacts of bicycling on well-being, including improved mood, reduced depressive symptoms, increased social connection, and enhanced cognitive functioning, especially among interventions occurring outdoors and over multiple sessions. Affective and cognitive outcomes varied by intervention, context, and population. This scoping review reinforces bicycling as a multidimensional modality for promoting well-being by synthesizing findings from 87 intervention studies across 19 countries. Notable improvements across well-being domains emerged, particularly in multi-session, outdoor interventions. Findings underscore the necessity for translational and inclusive community-based research beyond indoor environments, and exploration of how unique bicycling features (i.e., outdoor exposure, social opportunity, and meaningful routine) promote holistic well-being across the lifespan.