More cyclists could soon be on the streets as Bicycle Queensland has called for 1 million cyclists to ride weekly in Queensland by 2020.

The push for more Queenslanders to ditch the car and jump on a bike follows a new international study that found cycling improved health and social outcomes.

Bicycle Queensland has called for one million cyclists to ride weekly in Queensland by 2020. Credit:Alamy

The study, published in Environment International in August, found bicycle use was associated with good self-perceived health, lower perceived stress, better mental health and fewer feelings of loneliness while car use was associated with poor self-perceived health and lower vitality.

The findings of the survey of close to 9000 people over two years from seven European cities suggested active transport, especially bicycle use, should be encouraged to improve population health and social outcomes.