Cycling Your Way To A Healthier Brain
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As a cardiologist in New York City, I often talk to my patients about the heart-brain connection. Yes, I treat conditions like atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure every day, but the conversation often goes beyond arteries and rhythm strips. Why? Because what’s good for your heart is almost always good for your brain. And now, new research gives us yet another powerful reason to make a simple lifestyle change: ride a bike. Go for a Citibike ride through Central Park, ride over one of the bridges, ride downtown, just get out and do your cycling best!
A major new study published in JAMA Network Open found that cycling is associated with a 19% lower risk of all-cause dementia and a 22% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, compared to taking non-active modes of transportation like a car, bus, or train. That’s not just an interesting statistic. That’s a public health revelation.
What Did the Study Find?
This large-scale cohort study evaluated nearly 480,000 participants from the UK Biobank, a long-term health research resource in Great Britain. Over the course of years, researchers tracked travel patterns and health outcomes, adjusting for variables like age, sex, smoking status, and comorbidities.
The result? People who used cycling as their primary mode of transport significantly lowered their risk for both all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This aligns with what I see clinically: physical activity improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, helps regulate blood sugar and lipids, and reduces stress - all factors known to influence brain health. It’s no wonder these results also align themselves with the benefits one can get from a healthy diet, check out the Meyer Nutrition Plan if you haven’t already.
The authors emphasized that cycling, even for short trips, could be a powerful tool in lowering dementia risk across populations, particularly in urban environments where cycling is a practical alternative to driving.
Why the Heart-Brain Link Matters?
While dementia is often thought of as a neurological condition alone, the vascular component is critically important. Conditions like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation are all linked with increased risk of cognitive decline. In fact, the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care (2020) estimated that 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors, many of which are cardiovascular in nature: hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and depression.
Cycling, as a cardiovascular exercise, directly addresses many of these risks. It improves aerobic fitness, reduces blood pressure, and enhances insulin sensitivity. Additionally, it supports the health of the cerebral vasculature—the blood vessels that supply your brain with oxygen and nutrients.
What Are The Real-World Benefits for My Patients?
When patients ask me for ways to improve both heart and brain health, I often recommend walking. But for those who are looking for a low-impact exercise that also gets them from point A to point B, cycling is ideal. In fact, studies show that just 20 to 30 minutes of moderate cycling per day can produce significant cardiovascular benefits for a number of cardiac issues you can read more about on my website.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
And this latest data suggests it may keep you mentally sharper for longer as well.
I recently spoke with a 62-year-old patient who began commuting by bike from the Upper East Side to his office in Midtown. Within three months, his LDL cholesterol dropped by 18 points, his resting heart rate improved, and most interestingly, he told me he was "remembering names and phone numbers again." Was it the cycling? Maybe. But I’ve heard similar stories from dozens of patients.
What Is The Alzheimer’s Link?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 6 million Americans. It's a condition for which there is no cure, only management. Prevention is everything. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, modifiable lifestyle choices are among the most powerful tools we have to delay or prevent onset.
In this context, cycling becomes more than just a recreational activity. It becomes a medical recommendation. A prescription, if you will.
This is the kind of data that underscores the importance of the holistic approach to our health and the importance of the concierge approach.
At Madison Avenue Cardiovascular & Concierge Medicine, we offer that type of exclusive medical care through premier membership to our concierge medicine services, including:
What Other Supporting Evidence Is Out There?
A 2023 study published in Neurology found that higher levels of physical activity were associated with increased hippocampal volume (the part of the brain involved in memory) in adults over 60.
Data from the Framingham Heart Study showed that greater cardiorespiratory fitness was linked with a 31% lower risk of dementia over 10 years.
The Lancet Commission also noted that physical activity not only reduces vascular risk factors but may also reduce amyloid deposition and neuroinflammation, key components of Alzheimer’s pathology.
Is There A NYC Angle?
Living in New York, we're lucky. We have Citi Bikes, bike lanes, and increasingly bike-friendly infrastructure. I encourage my patients who are physically able and balance-capable to consider cycling for errands, commutes, or leisure. If balance or joint concerns are an issue, a stationary bike at home or the gym can offer many of the same benefits.
Of course, safety matters. Wear a helmet, use bike lanes, and avoid high-traffic areas during peak hours.
We’re learning more every day about how lifestyle choices influence long-term brain health. This study out of the UK is a game-changer, not just because of its scale but because it confirms a simple truth: movement matters.
For my patients, my advice is clear: If you can bike, bike. Even a few rides per week can improve your heart, your mind, and your future.
If you’d like to talk about creating a personalized plan to improve your cardiovascular and cognitive health, I’d be happy to help.
Stay well,
Dr. Mark Meyer
Sources
"Active Travel and Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease" – JAMA Network Open, 2025
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2835115"Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission" – The Lancet
https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/dementia-prevention-intervention-and-careCNN Health – "Riding a Bike Tied to Lower Dementia Risk, New Study Finds"
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/20/health/cycling-lower-dementia-risk-study-wellnessFramingham Heart Study – https://www.framinghamheartstudy.org/
"Physical Activity and Brain Structure in Older Adults" – Neurology, 2023
https://n.neurology.org/content/100/3/e263Alzheimer’s Association – Risk Factors and Prevention
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/risk-factors
