Our irresponsible, dangerous sport may make fracture clinic doctors shake their heads but here’s more evidence that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It’s also one in the eye (yes that eye) for those office-bound impotents who claim cycling knackers your, err, knackers.

A new Italian (where else) study has shown that riding a bike works just as well as Viagra for men with circulation problems. Director of the Lancisi Heart Institute in Ancona, Dr. Romualdo Belardinelli, told an American Heart Association conference in Anaheim that “It’s a simple exercise you can use to improve your sexual function.”

The good doctor studied the responses of patients with hearts damaged by chronic heart failure, and found that riding at a moderate intensity three times a week for eight weeks noticeably improved their sexual performance. Blood flow, oxygen uptake and erections were all reportedly improved as well as better “quality time” with their partners (who were interviewed separately to corroborate claims).

So there you go, yet another report ready to stick in the huge file labelled – ride a bike, it’s really good for you.