‘Real-world’ bicycle commuting: Characterizing the intensity and cycling routes of adults in the city of Natal, Brazil

Abstract Introduction Bicycle commuting has economic, environmental, and health benefits. However, it is not clear whether adults meet the physical activity guidelines when performing bicycle commuting in ‘real-world’ scenarios. This study aimed: (1) to verify whether adults reach the maximum heart rate percentage (%HRmax) recommended by the physical activity guidelines when doing bicycle commuting; (2) to compare the cardiorespiratory fitness of adults who meet and do not the physical activity guidelines and how they bicycle commute. Methods In experiment A, 20 healthy adults (25.1 ± 7.6years; 23.0 ± 1.9 kg/m2) were monitored during their habitual bicycle commuting using a Global Positioning System device with a HR monitor for one week. In experiment B, 20 healthy adults (27.8 ± 4.7years; 24.1 ± 3.1 kg/m2) were assessed (peak oxygen uptake, VO2peak; peak power output, PPO) and the following characteristics of the cycling route were compared between active and inactive individuals for one week: time commuting; distance covered; speed; %HRmax; time spent at a vigorous intensity. Results Participants in experiment A cycled at a moderate intensity (68.1 ± 8.7%HRmax) and covered ~4.2 ± 2.6 km per route. Meanwhile, the active and inactive individuals in experiment B showed similar VO2peak (P > 0.05), but the active participants reached a higher PPO (P  Conclusion Bicycle commuting should be encouraged for adults to meet the physical activity guidelines. Policymakers, companies, educational institutions should consider implementing measures to promote bicycle commuting.