What if the e-bike became a new "medicine" that can be prescribed by the GP?

Recent studies have shown how cycling has effects extremely positive.

It brings benefits both to the functioning of the brain and to improving cognitive performance, but also to combat stress, anxiety, depression and even prevent Parkinson's.

In London, cycling prescribed by the doctor is now almost a reality.

Started on an experimental basis in 2014 in some London neighborhoods, more than 500,000 people have joined the program, losing an average of 3.6 kg. in 12 months and reducing healthcare costs by around £10 million on average. 

An excellent result and, given the enormous success of the initiative, Downing Street has decided to expand the opportunity throughout the United Kingdom.

But let's move on to the Italian context.

Recent studies have estimated that the costs resulting from The National Health System from excessive sedentary lifestyle is around 12.1 billion euros per year, equal to 8.9% of total spending.

Not to mention that the most common causes of death between 2003 and 2014 are linked to heart and cerebrovascular diseases, all of which are related to a sedentary lifestyle and preventable by carrying out healthy physical activity.

There are many reasons behind inactivity, among the most cited are laziness and lack of time. In the chaotic and frenetic society in which we are all forced to live, we must still try not to be lazy and find time to take care of ourselves.

Our well-being and physical fitness are fundamental prerequisites for "treating" our health without medicines.

Many people spend their time in the office in an almost total sedentary state: 8 hours a day sitting in front of the computer, getting up only for very brief moments.

Here is the “Bike to work” could be the simplest and most immediate tool for transforming a sedentary lifestyle into a much more active modality, which will allow you to carry out an aerobic and modulable intensity activity, therefore suitable for everyone, even those suffering from hypertension, diabetes or osteoporosis.

Even patients recovering from serious heart problems are often encouraged by their doctor to carry out soft physical activity, through the use of pedal-assisted bicycles which allow them to keep their heart trained, without exposing themselves to the risk of doing too much.

Doctor's prescription, expenses for the purchase of e-bikes deductible from your 730, monitoring with heart rate monitors by experts and shopping vouchers, in the case of improvements.

These are some of the key points of the proposal that Bike Italia puts forward to combat sedentary lifestyle in Italy which, if it had a positive impact on the habits of at least 20% Italians, would produce a savings for the National Health System equal to 2.4 billion euros every year.

An extra pedal stroke can really make a difference!