Cyclist scepticism over health benefits of transport mode highlighted in the press

A number of cyclists on social media have met a study identifying that cycling to work halves the risk of cancer with heavy scepticism, London's Evening Standard newspaper has highlighted.

The Standard reported after the study's findings in the British Medical Journal that even mixed-mode commutes involving cycling are associated with significant improvements in health that some cyclists believed pollution cancelled out the health benefits. The newspaper quoted from Twitter, including one Ben Waterton, who said that "cycling to work can cut cancer and heart disease... unless the air pollution from London buses gets you".

It also highlighted comments from one Richard Fairbrass who claimed that his doctor "warned me off cycling in London due to pollution". But the newspaper also quoted Donnachadh McCarthy, co-founder of campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists, as saying: "The pollution is not any worse for cyclists than motorists so it's still hugely beneficial to cycle."