[ View All Other Bike Riding Topics ]

One of many Benefits of Cycling? (See our bicycle trip in Japan and Rhine River Tour)

There is a good chance that the benefits of cycling exceed any list of advantages you have running through your mind. There are so many, that we have had to group them into separate categories. The list of benefits of cycling is long, so let’s make an order here, and group them into categories:

Biking Health Benefits
Mental Benefits of Cycling
Social Benefits of Biking
Financial Benefits of Biking
Transportation Benefits of Cycling
Benefits of Biking for Your Community
Benefits of Biking for the Environment

Health Benefits Of Cycling

One of the main benefits of cycling that most are aware of is that the activity offers a fun and easy way to burn calories.

Remember when you were young and did not have to think twice about what you ate? Well, as you know, the food we eat has a more noticeable impact as we get older. We know that we need to exercise for optimal health. Cycling makes it easy.

In fact, many experts have proven the benefits of cycling on weight control and long-term health. This article has more information on this topic you may be interested in.

• Cycling Strengthens Your Heart – One of the greatest health-related benefits of cycling is that it improves your cardiovascular system. Biking forces your heart and lungs to work harder, thereby strengthening them. Studies have proven the positive effects of commuting by bicycle.
• Biking Helps Control Weight – Many dieters swear by using bicycling for weight loss. You burn calories, which can help you lose or maintain weight. See, this guide for more information on biking calories.
• Biking Tones Muscles – Replacing fat with muscle has a number of advantages. First, you look leaner. Second, muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest. Strong muscles are less prone to injury.
• Biking is Kind to Your Joints – Most people experience discomfort in their joints as they age, especially the knees. Unlike running, which puts a lot of wear and tear on your joints, cycling is low-impact. You get all the fat-burning and health-improving benefits without causing joint pain.
• Biking Improves Balance – Falling tends to happen more frequently as we age because our balance naturally worsens. You can fight this by participating in activities that improve balance, such as cycling and yoga. Cycling strengthens core muscles, which also helps prevent back injuries.

Here are additional information about cycling and health.

Mental Benefits of Cycling

No one has to tell you that life is chaotic and stressful. You probably barely get time to relax, as your schedule is filled with work and family obligations. Well, all this stress and anxiety affect your mental health, which ultimately takes a toll on your physical health.

Meditation is recommended for improved physical and spiritual health. However, meditation is nicely complemented by daily exercise. Even if you don’t meditate, exercise still improves your mental health.

For me, cycling is meditation. I can clear my mind, reflect, and find peace. Biking allows me to let go of all the stress I gathered throughout the day and be soothed by fresh air and the sounds of nature. Even in an urban jungle like New York City, you can find peace of mind on a bike.

Plus, cycling releases endorphins. These natural painkillers relieve stress and make you feel happy. Here are a few benefits of cycling on mental health.

• Quality Alone Time – Everyone needs alone time sometimes, especially if you have kids or a job dealing with the public.
• Reduce Stress – As mentioned, cycling produces endorphins, which essentially eat all that stress away. Stress affects sleep quality and eating habits, and can contribute to medical problems.
• Enjoy Nature – With your busy schedule, how often do you get to just breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the sounds of nature, and soak up some vitamin D?
• Improved Mood – Since endorphins make you happy, your mood improves. Commuting by bicycle to work could improve your attitude on the job, as well as your work quality.
• Improved Self-esteem – Exercise makes you feel better about yourself. Plus, since cycling tones your body, you have a reason to be more self-confident.

The Benefits of Biking, Japan, 2015

Social Benefits of Cycling

Whether you are participating in a bicycle race or on a bike tour, you have the opportunity to interact with other like-minded individuals. Maybe you don’t have time to make friends because you work too much or perhaps you miss your family. After all, you just moved away. Whatever the case is you have the opportunity to become part of a wonderful biking community.

If you have a family member or friend to ride with the two of you will share a bond and you will get closer. Maybe you can even get to know your neighbors while biking through the neighborhood.

Financial Benefits of Cycling

Some of the most appreciated benefits of cycling are in this category.

• Reduced Transportation Expenses - When you ride your bike instead of driving you save money not paying a car payment, insurance, repair, maintenance, gas, and parking.
• Reduced Health Care Costs - Since cycling improves your overall health it reduces long-term healthcare expenses.
• Skip the Gym Membership - Who needs an expensive gym membership when you have fresh air and free trails?

Transportation Benefits of Cycling

Cycling truly is the greatest form of transportation for a few reasons, including:

• Avoid sitting in frustrating and time-consuming traffic jams.
• Always have a more accurate estimated time of arrival.
• Short distances can often be achieved faster on a bike.
• Endless travel opportunities, especially on bicycling tours.

Benefits For The Community

Many do not realize that everything they do affects others. Your community can reap the benefits of cycling, too. When you bike, you:

• Free up parking spaces
• Don't contribute to traffic
• Reduce vehicular traffic, which decreases risk of accidents

Environmental Benefits

The environment appreciates many benefits of cycling. A bicycle provides the most eco-friendly means of transportation.

• No Air Pollution - Bicycles do not emit any toxins into the atmosphere.
• No Water Pollution - Transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, oil, etc., can all ultimately end up as runoff in freshwater sources. These are not concerns with bicycles.
• No Noise Pollution - Just imagine how quiet your city would be with no engines running, tires squealing, and horns honking.
• Reduced Road Maintenance - Are you tired of dodging orange barrels in work zones? Well, the roads need constant repair due to the wear and tear of cars. Bikes don't have this damaging effect.
• Less Oil Drilling - Oil drilling is a huge environmental concern, especially when spills are destroying delicate marine ecosystems. Riding a bike requires no oil.
• Fewer Raw Materials Used - A bike requires about 5 percent of the raw materials used to manufacture a car. Not only does this decrease the amount of metal and rubber ultimately ending up in landfills; less fossil fuel is needed to produce energy for manufacturing.

Books about Biking

For more information, there are some informative books about biking. You can find them in several online bookstores.

"Things look different from the seat of a bike carrying a sleeping bag with a cold beer tucked inside."
Jim Malusa

[ View All Other Bike Riding Topics ]