Vikrum Aiyer has served as head of global public policy at the San Francisco-based climate-technology company Heirloom since 2022, where he supports the firm’s carbon-removal policy efforts and has expanded its coalition of industry partners. 
A political science graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Aiyer previously worked as vice president of global public policy and strategic communications at Uber/Postmates and held senior policy roles in the Obama administration at both the White House and the Department of Commerce. He is an appointed member of the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers program and serves as a commissioner on San Francisco’s Workforce Investment Board, in addition to holding board positions with the Chamber of Progress and YIMBY Action. Outside of his policy work, Aiyer’s personal interests include photography, golf, and cycling, a pursuit closely tied to the health and environmental benefits explored below.
The Physical, Mental, and Environmental Benefits of Cycling
Adults and children in the United States are experiencing a variety of health crises. A few of the most pressing issues include heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Widespread inactivity among Americans is a major contributor to these and other health issues.
Less than half of the nation meets the minimum physical activity standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in several parts of the country, as many as 30 percent of adults lead completely sedentary lifestyles outside of the physical demands of work.
Cycling represents one of the easiest ways to mitigate health risks associated with an overly sedentary lifestyle. According to PeopleForBikes, a record number of Americans rode bicycles at least once in 2024, at 112 million individuals (or 35 percent of the population aged three years and older).
Individuals who have not engaged in cycling should consider the many physical and mental health advantages, as well as the environmental and economic benefits.
First of all, as little as two to four hours of cycling per week can have a significantly positive health impact. Cycling is a low-impact workout that does not require technical skill or significant physical abilities.
Despite the simplicity of cycling, it provides a comprehensive workout that engages all major muscle groups throughout the body. Over time, cycling can considerably improve a person’s strength and endurance, enabling riders to expand their exercise routines and try other approaches to aerobic fitness.
Another benefit of cycling is that it is a highly customizable workout experience. A person can take a casual cruise around their flat, paved neighborhood, or go on a multi-hour, off-road mountain biking trek through a national park. In either case, cycling is a fun, often thrilling form of exercise, as riders can explore new places and meet fellow riders as they improve their physical condition.
A few specific physical benefits of cycling include improved cardiovascular performance, increased muscle and bone strength, greater flexibility, and decreased levels of body fat. These and other benefits reduce a person’s risk of many diseases and health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Several studies have linked regular cycling with a decreased risk for certain types of cancer. As mentioned, cycling can also help to prevent and manage mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression.
Finally, the benefits of cycling extend beyond a person’s individual wellness. In the US, automobiles represent a significant threat to environmental stability due to carbon emissions.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average passenger vehicle produces roughly 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Altogether, American drivers account for about one-fifth of the nation’s annual carbon emissions.
By opting to ride their bike to work, the grocery store, and other errands, people can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and help maintain the health of their local environment. Riding a bike instead of driving a car can decrease a person’s transportation-based carbon emissions by nearly 70 percent.
The decision to ride a bike more often also has financial advantages, as individuals do not need to pay for fuel or auto repairs.
About Vikrum Aiyer
Vikrum Aiyer is a San Francisco-based policy strategist who has served as head of global public policy at the climate-technology company Heirloom since 2022. He previously held senior roles at Uber/Postmates and within the Obama administration at the White House and Department of Commerce. A political science graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Aiyer is an appointed member of the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers program and a commissioner on San Francisco’s Workforce Investment Board. He also serves on the boards of the Chamber of Progress and YIMBY Action.
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