Is Cycling Better Than Walking To Lose Weight?

By bicycling rather than walking, you can lose more weight in the short run, according to studies by Harvard Health Publications and the state of Wisconsin's Department of Health and Family Services. Walking, though, is an excellent long-term exercise for weight loss because you are very unlikely to get injured---bicycling is riskier. An excellent alternative is stationary cycling, which burns more calories than walking and is also one of the safest exercises, according to The Merck Manual of Medical Information.

Vigorous Exercise

You lose more weight bicycling and walking at faster speeds because you need to exercise more vigorously to increase your speed; vigorous exercise increases your heart rate and "a higher heart rate means more oxygen and fuel burned," according to "The Complete Guide to Walking." Bicycling more than 20 mph and walking 4.5 mph were the most vigorous cycling and walking exercises surveyed by Harvard Health Publications. A 155 lb. person burns 1,228 calories per hour bicycling more than 20 mph and 372 calories per hour walking 4.5 mph.

Moderate Exercise

You lose more weight cycling with a "moderate effort" even if you're only stationary cycling, according to "Calories Burned Per Hour," a state of Wisconsin study. A 155 lb. person exerting a moderate effort for an hour burns 563 calories bicycling, 493 calories stationary cycling and 246 calories walking. On the average, individuals exercising moderately are bicycling 12 to 13.9 mph and walking 3 mph. There is no speed given for moderate stationary cyclists.

Relaxing Exercise

Losing weight quickly when you're exercising lightly is very difficult because you need to burn 3,500 calories just to lose one pound and the average active woman and man need to consume an average of 2,000 and 2,400 calories daily, respectively. A 155 lb. person exercising lightly for an hour burns 422 calories bicycling, 387 calories stationary cycling and 176 calories walking, according to the "Calories Burned Per Hour" study. Light bicyclists and walkers are traveling 10 to 11.9 mph and 2 mph, respectively.

Injury Risk

Stationary cycling, walking and swimming are "the safest exercises," The Merck Manual of Medical Information reported. Bicycling on the road, on the other hand, significantly increases your risk of bone fractures. "Cycling is unique in its impact on skeletal health," reported "The New York Times" in 2009. You can lose more weight in the long run if you're always healthy. Walking 35 minutes daily resulted in the average 160 lb. person losing 18 lbs. in 15 years, according to Harvard Health Publications.

Convenience

Weight loss might depend on your schedule, budget, time, access to nearby gymnasiums and the terrain near your home. Gyms might be expensive, but stationary cycling pays off in pounds lost because it is the best gym activity for weight loss, according to Harvard Health Publications. A 155 lb. person loses 782 calories per hour stationary cycling. If you live near hills, walking might be better because you burn about 50 percent more calories walking up hills than on flat surfaces, "The Complete Guide to Walking" reports.