Cycling is a truly invigorating and liberating experience, enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life. Whether you are cycling to work, to school, to the shops or just for fun, the humble bicycle is an easy way to get more active. For short journeys, any good working bike will do.
- Get Fit
If you don’t get along with the gym or don’t have time to commit to a regular sport (or just are not interested in one!), cycling can be the perfect way to fit some exercise into your daily routine. Because the bicycle supports your weight, it gets your body moving without too much strain. It’s also a great way to burn calories, as you can cycle for a relatively long period of time without getting completely puffed out – and it’s the perfect type of aerobic exercise for your heart.
- Improve your well-being
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and exercise is key to keeping both in good shape. Many people say cycling makes them feel happier, often transforming their mood at the start or end of the day. Exercising releases endorphins and this, combined with fresh air and the sheer fun of riding a bike, can truly lift your mood
- Look after the environment
We all talk about being greener but, apart from doing a spot of recycling, how many of us actually take action? There may not be a great deal the average person can do about deforestation but one thing we can do is drive less. Cars are accountable for ten per cent of our carbon footprint. They also cause air and noise pollution, not to mention congestion and aggression in our towns and cities. Cycling regularly instead of using the car is a proactive step to living a greener life.
- Enjoy the fresh air and sense of freedom
Working long hours indoors can leaving you feeling drained and depleted. Cycling is the perfect remedy. You feel invigorated, having had a healthy dose of fresh air, and there is a wonderful sense of freedom in striking out on you own, just you and your bike against the world.
- Save time and be on time
One of the beauties of cycling is that it’s faster than walking, can be quicker than driving for local trips, and not subject to the unpredictability and delays of public transport. You can normally guarantee how long a journey is going to take you, so you can avoid stumbling into work late. The bike is also a highly efficient way of running all your local errands.
- Save time and be on time
One of the beauties of cycling is that it’s faster than walking, can be quicker than driving for local trips, and not subject to the unpredictability and delays of public transport. You can normally guarantee how long a journey is going to take you, so you can avoid stumbling into work late. The bike is also a highly efficient way of running all your local errands.
- Discover your town or city
This is often one of the most unexpected rewards of cycling. You can get an enormous amount of satisfaction in discovering and understanding the geography of your own town or city: a sense of pride in knowing your way around and a delight in finding small, pretty streets that you might never have come across otherwise.
- Sleep Better
Being outdoors on the bike is a great stress reliever and can help rid your body of cortisol, the stress hormone that can prevent deep, regenerative sleep. You may also find after being out on the bike you can fall asleep much quicker as well.
- It’s easier on your joints
whether you’re recovering from an injury, looking for a cross-training option or hoping to preserve your knees, cycling gets your legs moving and your heart pumping without pounding your joints. Biking is far lower impact and engages the muscles in the legs without as much force coming down on the knees. So long as you keep your legs pumping on your bike, it ends up being a smoother, lower risk form of cardio; great if you’re recovering from an injury.