There has been interest in the link between physical activity, absenteeism and productivity for a number of decades. Simply put, the hypothesis is that the more physically active are likely to have a lower level of absenteeism due to the unequivocal evidence that physical activity substantially reduces the risk of ill-health and premature death. In 2007 a high level Evidence Review was conducted for Transport for London to assess the peer-reviewed evidence.1 The most significant finding was that an increase in physical activity of more than one hour per week, easily achieved by walking or cycling to work, would be expected to lead to a measurable reduction in levels of absenteeism. The authors concluded that this was of clear commercial benefit to employers and supported the business case for investing in workplace travel plans. No studies were found directly reporting on active travel and absenteeism and productivity.

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Physical inactivity and related diseases are of global public health concern. Previous work has identified that periods of transition across a life course or ‘life-change events’ have implications for drop out for physical activity. Therefore, any attempts to increase or even reverse trends in population physical (in)activity must address the impact of changes in life events or life circumstances on physical activity participation. This note identifies both possible life changes that might affect participation in physical activity and temporal trends in physical activity.

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There is now strong evidence that social networks and community involvement have positive health consequences. Persons who are socially engaged with others and actively involved in their communities tend to live longer and be healthier physically and mentally.

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Much of the focus of interventions to promote cycling and walking have been on the work journey. The physical activity benefits of cycling have therefore been relatively well studied in relation to this journey. One of the earliest studies was of Birmingham factory workers where cycling was found to have the strongest association with fitness of all the physical activities assessed. Even in 1986 the authors were able to cite a number of studies which identified the contribution of cycling to fitness both among adults and children.

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Expenditure on bus travel is relatively much more important to the poor than to the rich. It was partly for this reason that local authorities such as South Yorkshire and the Great London Council used fares subsidies as a tool to ensure adequate levels of mobility to disadvantaged groups.1

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There is overwhelming evidence that regular physical activity has important and wideranging health benefits. These range from reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers to enhanced function and preservation of function with age. There is also strong emerging evidence that activity delays cognitive decline and is good for brain health as well as having extensive benefits for the rest of the body.1 The earliest studies of the protective value of physical activity were undertaken in the 1950s and compared bus drivers with bus conductors and postmen with desk-based workers in the postal service.2

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