Cycling is a healthy endeavour that is generally beneficial for the whole body

Cycling and the prostate are linked by the body anatomy. Male cyclists sit on the bike and the area of body that is in contact with the bicycle seat is called the perineum. This is the area in between the testicles and the back passage (anus). This area is supported by the pelvic floor muscles and behind it directly is the base of the penis and the prostate.

A short bike ride usually has no negative impact on the prostate.

Seasoned cyclists who ride relatively longer rides will use padded underwear or specialist cycling shorts. Those help keeping the perineum comfortable. Occasionally cyclists can get soreness in the area and even skin irritation.

There are studies that assessed the impact of cycling on the PSA test reading and found it to be mild and usually inconsequential with no negative overall impact on health, however it is recommended to avoid cycling for 48 hours before having the blood taken for PSA testing.

Occasionally and after a relatively longer bike ride a numbness in the penis may develop and this is usually the result of sustained pressure on the nerves that supply the skin. It is usually harmless but the normal sensation may take several days and sometimes weeks to recover fully. This generally has no impact on the ability to achieve erections.

This is not a result of an illness nor a sign of a serious condition but rather a sign of bad position of the body on the bicycle where the pressure of weight of the body is disproportional and concentrated in one area. The cause is usually either the bike is too small or too big, or the seat position is too high or too low.

The solution is tediously simple and one may need to assess the adjust the seat position and height to suit the rider. Some cyclists prefer to get a professional bike fitting arranged.

On another note, I would recommend to avoid cycling in the case of acute prostatitis.

This is an acute inflammation of the prostate (not related to cycling). It can be uncomfortable and painful but is perfectly treatable condition. It is usually quite sore to cycle, and in the acute phase it is advisable to avoid cycling. The acute period can take several days or even weeks to settle fully.

The final point in here is: Cycling is an excellent way to keep generally healthy, and a healthy body keeps your prostate healthy. With few precautions one can cycle happily without any serious negative impact on the prostate.