Riding a bike can help you lose weight, recover from injury, and even get smarter — and that’s just for starters. – By Molly Hurford

1. Get Smarter

Studies have shown that exercise boosts brainpower and helps to stave off Alzheimer’s in the elderly. In 2007 Dr. Phil Tomporowski also found that kids are even more positively impacted by time on the bike — and that exercise can help control issues like ADD.

2. Recover From Injury

A recent study found that elderly patients with knee pain and osteoarthritis actually improved their condition when cycling was introduced to their routines, proving that as we get older, taking time to exercise — even just spinning a few minutes a day — can be hugely beneficial.

Read: The 4 Secrets To Recovery

3. Improve Your Heart

Cycling is also great for your heart — although not just because you love riding so much (though that’s a great reason too!). A recent study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise spent five years looking at the activity of 1,500 subjects. Those who were active on a daily basis were 31-percent less likely to develop high blood pressure.

4. Feel Sexier

Best news ever: You aren’t the only one who thinks spandex is super hot. A survey of 600 men and women commissioned by The British Heart Foundation found that cyclists were perceived as 13-percent more intelligent and cooler than other people, and a whopping 23 percent said a cyclist would be their preferred blind-date athlete.

5. Lose Fat

It shouldn’t really come as a surprise that weight loss is one of the big benefits of regular cycling, but it bears repeating. The media is often quick to promote the idea that diet is the only way to actually shed fat, but science is proving otherwise. A recent study showed that older, diabetic women could only drop visceral fat if exercise, along with diet, was introduced into their routine. The same was proved true for younger women.

Read: How To Use Your Bike To Get Rid Of Belly Fat

6. Help Prevent Cancer

Maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and a conscientious diet (think lots of leafy greens, lean proteins and healthy grains) all helps lower your risk of cancer. And a recent study looked at nearly 14,000 men and concluded that those with a higher fitness level as they approached middle age were at a lower risk for lung and colorectal cancer.

7. Feel Better About Yourself

It’s no surprise that exercise in general (and cycling in particular) helps improve your self-esteem. The next time you take the perfect mid-ride selfie, score that Strava QOM you’ve been chasing, or finish a really hard workout, your body will release a whole bunch of feel-great hormones that will make you feel like you can take over the world.

8. Live Longer

According to one study of Tour de France riders from the past, cycling actually increased their longevity. On average, the former pros lived to 81.5 years compared to the general population’s 73.5 years: a 17-percent increase! Anther study suggested that even casual bike commuters benefit: For individuals who shift from car to bicycle, it was estimated that three to 14 months could be gained compared to the potential downsides of bike commuting.

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