Happiness on wheels: what makes cyclists happy?

Physical exercise has been shown to promote psychological well-being. This study is the first to test the relationship between cycling and happiness and to identify the factors associated with the joy of cycling in Hong Kong, a Chinese community with low bicycle usage. The data were collected through an 8-week diary study (N = 443; 3536 observations), including reports of happiness after each bike ride. A multilevel model was used to examine the effects of weather conditions on the relationship between cycling and happiness, controlling for covariates such as weekday/weekend, type of cyclist, number of peers, age, and gender. A subsample (n = 200; 2874 observations) completed the Big Five personality questionnaire, allowing us to map the relationship between personality, cycling, and happiness. The results showed that the issuance of a thunderstorm warning, a red rainstorm warning, or a tropical cyclone warning signal diminished cyclists’ happiness. Furthermore, individuals who scored higher in extraversion and agreeableness derived more happiness from cycling. Overall, the findings suggest that the relationship between cycling and happiness is not linear, as weather conditions and personality differences significantly influence the enjoyment derived from cycling. Happy cyclists tend to be extraverted and agreeable, and prefer to cycle in good weather. These findings offer valuable implications for mental health promotion in everyday life. © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.