Dutch study: Cycling reduces absenteeism at the workplace

In February 2009, TNO, a Dutch contract research organisation, published research directly studying the relation between commuting by bicycle, work performance and absenteeism. Among employees of three major Dutch organisations an electronic survey was conducted into commuting to work by bicycle in relation to health and work performance.

Data on absenteeism of the respondents were provided by the employers, for the year preceding the questionnaire. Of the 1236 employees 64% cycled to work regularly, and 36% did not cycle at all. Regular commuters missed significantly fewer days a year than non-cyclists: on average 7.4 days a year (cyclists) compared to 8.7 days a year (non-cyclists).

There was also a relationship between distance, commute frequency and degree of absenteeism: the more often and the greater the distance, the lower the absenteeism.

Health proved to be the main reason for choosing active travel options.