CYCLING has become increasingly popular over recent years, and not only does it improve fitness but it means you can avoid stuffy car journeys and traffic jams too.

British Cycling estimates that the total number of regular adult cyclists has now risen to more than two million. Last year’s Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire not only showcased the county to the rest of the world, it also inspired people around the country to get on two wheels. Next month’s Tour de Yorkshire looks set to boost interest in cycling even further.

New reports have found that travelling on two wheels has far more health benefits than just the obvious cardiovascular ones.

Here are seven reasons to pedal your way to wellbeing...

lFirstly, it seems cycling could add years to your life - a study has revealed that many older, fit amateur cyclists are physically much younger than most people of the same age.

Extensive physical tests on more than 120 cyclists, aged between 55 and 79, at King’s College London, found the effects of ageing on them were far from obvious. The older cyclists in the study had similar levels of muscle strength, lung power and exercise capacity as the youngest members.

lCycling stops you drinking (and smoking) Furthermore, a survey of nearly 10,000 cyclists by the UK’s leading cycle to work provider Cyclescheme (Cyclescheme.co.uk), has found that cycling has a snowball effect on eating habits, alcohol consumption and tobacco intake - 48per cent said they eat healthier since taking up cycling to work, 29per cent said they’d drunk less alcohol, and 20per cent said they had smoked less.

lCycling makes you happy Possibly as a result of this healthier lifestyle, combined with improved cardiovascular fitness, 42per cent of the people surveyed said they’d become ill less frequently since taking up a two-wheel commute. In addition, half noted lower stress levels.

lCycling reduces heart disease It’s well-known that the cardiovascular benefits of cycling are huge - the British Medical Association says cycling just 20 miles a week could reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 50per cent.

lCycling helps your joints As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s also potentially huge benefits for muscles and joints. Cycling is a low-impact exercise, and its motion is stimulating for the cartilage within a knee joint. So as well as giving a good muscular and cardiovascular workout, cycling can help loosen up stiff joints.

Arthritis Research UK says cycling is very good for strengthening the knees and for general fitness, but warns that people who get a lot of knee pain may have to take it very gently at first.

lCycling keeps you trim Cycling is also a great weapon in the fight against obesity, because of the calories it burns. Indeed, NHS Choices estimates that someone who weighs 80kg (12st 9lb) could burn more than 650 calories with an hour of strenuous cycling, and tone their legs and bottom. Riding up hills or off-road, will also work the upper body.

lCycling could save money Cyclescheme predicts that if just 10per cent of journeys were made by bike instead of car by 2025, the NHS would save £2.5 billion and the nation would gain a combined equivalent of over a million years of healthy living. Furthermore, through reductions in sick days and increased productivity, the UK economy could save £830 million over the next decade if cycling to work continues to increase.

Grey Giddins, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at BMI Bath Clinic, says: “Those who commute by bike, and therefore exercise regularly, are less likely to smoke, drink heavily and become ill, showing a snowball effect on other areas of our health.”