Pedal power: Why men should cycle as they enter middle-age

From improving cardiovascular health and muscle strength to boosting testosterone and lowering stress, cycling is one of the best ways for men to stay healthy as they age

Cycling preserves muscle mass for middle-aged men but is not as punishing on the joints as football, rugby, or running. Picture: iStock

Men in middle age should cycle. Cycling preserves muscle mass and delays ageing, but is gentler on the body and joints than sports such as football, rugby, or tennis, where injuries are common.

More people are cycling in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford, Ireland’s largest urban areas. And cycling, as a substitute transport, takes 660,000 cars off the road every day. That is according to the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) 2025 Walking and Cycling Index. And the number of daily cyclists in Dublin alone has increased by 50% in just two years.