Study: Adventure cycling one of top choices for improving mental health

Boosting mental health is one of the key reasons riders are pursuing adventure cycling, according to a study conducted by travel company Much Better Adventures.

Among the 270 respondents, 72.6% reported cycling for fitness, while 69.6% and 59.6% stated that they wanted to enjoy time outdoors and were looking for fun, respectively. In addition, 44% of respondents said they cycled for mental health.

The company added that interest in cycling as a form of self-care has grown rapidly, with Google searches for “cycling for mental health” having doubled in the UK. At the same time, the number of published articles exploring the connection between cycling and mental health increased by 133%, rising from 40,400 in September 2024 to 94,100 in October 2025.

Moreover, adventure cycling offers greater benefits than everyday cycling, as research shows that multi-day rides in nature can significantly improve mental health by combining movement, connection and time spent in wild places.

“We’re seeing a real shift in what people are looking for from adventure,” said Sam Bruce, co-founder of Much Better Adventures. “Cycling used to be all about challenge and endurance, but now it’s just as much about clarity and calm. As awareness around mental health grows, we expect to see more people choosing adventures that help them switch off, slow down and come back feeling genuinely recharged.”

Bruce added that the rise of eBiking can further enhance these benefits, making tough terrain more accessible and enabling riders to go further.

“Knowing you’ve got that little boost gives you the confidence to go further, climb higher and explore more deeply under your own steam — just with a bit of extra ‘oomph’. This launch is about unlocking that sense of freedom and supporting our goal of making adventure travel more accessible,” he concluded.