Bike commutes offer a great way to get the exercise we need but also protect our wallets and the planet.
Riding your bike requires the controlled utilisation of stored energy in the form of fat and sugar, which is then burnt – at a leisurely pace, and assuming a rider weighs 150 lb, for 30 minutes, that person can expect to burn off around 240 calories.
It’s Good for Your Heart Whether it’s cycling from city to city or from farm to farm, not only will you improve your cardiovascular health by strengthening your heart muscles, but burning calories while using muscles in your legs and back will also increase your strength. Less pollution exposure can also help with asthma in the long run. Studies published in medical journals show that persons who commute by bicycling or walking have less risk of heart disease, cancer and death of any cause in early and middle age compared with those driving to work or using public transit. If you are not comfortable cycling on public roads, start first by riding on low-traffic streets and gradually increase distance and length of ride. Social media helps to share information with millions and spread ideas at a rapid speed, the likes of which have never been seen! Using a car causes pollution in the air and scientists and experts have found evidence of how car pollution can shorten people’s lives by thousands in the UK alone each year. You are helping to reduce this pollution when you commute by bike and also improving the health of everybody else by making the environment cleaner and healthier – and making the roads and streets safer for everybody!
It’s Good for Your Mood
Riding a bike is a good way to relax, not only because it clears your mind and lightens your mood, but also because if you decide to ride in nature, you can enjoy its beauty, at the same time, making a break from daily stressors and routine. Fresh air, sunlight and the blast of wind in your face all help increase your sense of wellbeing and reduce stress. A study from the University of Edinburgh suggests they work. People who bike to work were a fifth (15 per cent) less likely to be prescribed medication for anxiety and depression than those who travelled by other means. In addition, choosing cycle rather than driving by motorised vehicle contributes to the environment as well. Cycling counteracts generation of air pollution and greenhouse gas emission (0% compared with more environmentally harmful types of transport, such as cars or other petrol-fueled forms of transport). Moreover, in cities with traffic jams, you can in many cases also save time.
It’s Good for Your Body
A series of recent studies in the British Medical Journal confirmed what committed cyclists had long suspected: riding a bicycle to work is a lot more healthy than driving or taking public transit. Researchers had found that those who cycled to work had lower risks of heart disease and lung cancer than those driving or taking public transit. Second, cycling is also exercise for exercise’s sake, every day. Leg, core, balance and proprioception strength are enhanced (and falls in older riders have been found to diminish, along with other injuries such as car drivers opening their doors on cyclists, known as being ‘doored’). Furthermore biking also helps in protecting the environment by decreasing air pollution and reducing greenhouse gases emitted by automobiles; although price of fuel has risen; hence many people might be able to save money too…
It’s Good for Your Mind
It’s a great low-impact cardio exercise to build up muscles and burn calories, while the endorphin release will give you a boost. Oh, and you’ll spend your precious moments in this unique city outside, breathing in fresh air. Not surprisingly, the percentage of people using bicycles for commuting dramatically increased; a survey conducted in 2010 revealed that one-third of bike commuters had lower levels of work stress and a higher ability to focus during work. Good reasons to consider building up your own cycling routine! In addition to the health benefits of cycling commutes, carpoolers miss out on those nasty traffic pile-ups and noxious fumes. A British Medical Journal study also found that cycling commutes can lower the risk of certain cancers and heart disease compared with those who don’t cycle at all, and the savings over time from eliminating gas and parking fees can amount to a lot of money — so why not switch? You’ll save money, be happier, healthier, all while helping to safeguard the planet — just remember to wear a helmet (for more on bike safety here)! Here are nine tips to making your carpool-to-bike swap a success!