CYCLING to work could make you better at your job, a health expert has claimed

Public health guru Nick Cavill is urging businesses to get their staff pedalling in a bid to boost their productivity.

Stockport-based Nick, who works for transport body Cycling England, has carried out a study for the World Health Organisation into the benefits of commuting by bike.

He will deliver his findings to health and transport experts from across the country at a summit at Bolton University.

He said: "There is some pretty good evidence that cyclists have lower levels of absenteeism. It is pretty obvious that fitter people are healthier and have fewer days off due to sickness.

"Studies in Holland, where cycling is extremely popular, showed that cyclists 7.4 days off a year compared to 8.7 days off for non-cyclists.

"It is difficult to measure at quality of life but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest stress levels are much lower in people who cycle to work."

As part of his work with the United Nations agency, the health promotion consultant helped create a new computer programme which allows local councils to work out the health costs of building new cycle routes.

He said: "It takes into account the number of people who will use a new route and the average length of journey.

"It basically shows you how the life expectancy and health of people will be improved by any particular route and will calculate the saving to the health service.

"Planners currently look at whether a new route will consider the saving in journey time and other factors but this is the first time that they calculate the health benefits.

"The point is that the health benefits from cycling are so substantial that they should generally outweigh the costs of establishing a new route."

The government has recently given backing to the computer resource, and the expert hopes that it will lead to more cycling lanes and tracks being built.

The conference, which will be held at the university on April 7, is one of the country's top cycling events. Doctors, town planners, transport leaders and cycling enthusiasts will be taking part.

Organiser John Parkin, a lecturer in transport planning at Bolton Uni, said: "There are so many reasons why it's good for people to get on their bikes - cycling is a lot cheaper than running a car, it helps to keep you fit, it's environmentally friendly and it's a lot easier to park your bike.

"There is a growing need for sustainable transport solutions, especially in urban areas where traffic congestion is now a major problem."

Also speaking at the event will be cycle campaigners from London, where the number of cyclists commuting to work has doubled in the last five years.