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Cycling in India: honest calories and the deficit verdict

Cycling in India: honest calories and the deficit verdict

Cycling burns about 4 MET at an easy city pace, 7 MET at a steady moderate effort, and 10 MET when you ride hard. For a 70 kg person that is roughly 140, 245 and 350 extra kcal in 30 minutes. City traffic with frequent stops sits near the easy end; a stationary bike gives a steady burn; weekend group rides burn the most. Easy cycling is closer to brisk walking than to jogging — only hard cycling matches running. This is the honest burn for Indian roads and the deficit verdict.

13 Jul 2026 · Burnie Academy
cycling calorie-burn exercise indian-movement

A cycle is one of the cheapest burn tools most Indians can own. You ride to the metro, round the colony in the morning, spin a stationary bike at home while the news plays, or join a weekend group ride on the lake road. But how many calories does cycling really burn on Indian roads? The honest answer: it depends a lot on effort, and city traffic changes things. An easy city ride is closer to a brisk walk than a jog. A hard, fast ride can match running. This article gives you the real numbers, the method behind them, and a simple verdict for your calorie deficit. No hype, no made-up maths.

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