In the ongoing study, researchers have so far monitored 11,000 volunteers in seven European cities, asking them how they move around the city, which mode of transport they use and how much time they spend travelling.
The project also asks volunteers to record their height and weight, and to provide information about their attitudes towards walking and bicycling.
An analysis of the data so far shows that those people who drive cars as their main form of transport are on average four kilogrammes heavier than those who cycle, researchers said.
While the researchers cannot yet draw a causal link between the type of transport people choose and their weight, they said the initial results are intriguing, and hope that by following more people they can draw some firmer conclusions.
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"We don't have cause and effect yet, but we hope this first finding will encourage more people to take part in the survey so that we can get more data over time and make a link between transport decisions and health," Imperial's project lead Dr Audrey de Nazelle said.
"Our research shows that factors like urban design, how we move in cities, and the use of cars, bikes or walking could all play an important role in determining the level of people's daily physical activity," said Davis.
"If people can integrate this into their daily lives, such as going to work or going shopping, then it means you don't have to make special time commitments and it's more affordable for everybody," said de Nazelle.
The survey also aims to determine how people make transport decisions, and what measures cities can take to encourage walking and cycling.
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