When it comes to commuting to work, not everyone will be able to swap four wheels for two. But those who can will be able to appreciate the benefits.
Cycling is a healthy, economical and environmentally friendly mode of transport, ideal for short local trips, which make up many of our everyday journeys.
“One car in five travels less than one kilometre. It takes 8 minutes to do 500 metres on foot. You therefore keep in shape and save time.” – European Mobility website
- Cycling regularly will improve your fitness and can help you live a long and healthy life.
- Riding a bike can help you maintain a healthy weight.
- Three quarters of all personal journeys are less than 5 miles long - that's half an hour on a bike.
Switching these short journeys from car to bicycle will benefit your health and your community. You'll be helping to reduce noise and air pollution as well as traffic congestion.
What's in it for you?
More cycling is good news for the environment and your local community. But the biggest benefit is for you as an individual.
Increasing Fitness
- Cycling is one of the safest ways to exercise without putting too much strain on you muscles and joints. It helps to improve your stamina, strength, aerobic fitness and general muscle function.
- Regular physical activity also facilitates other healthy behaviour and could help you reduce weight or even give up smoking.
Lowering Risk of Heart Attack
- If you cycle regularly, your heart muscles are strengthened, your resting pulse is lowered and your blood fat levels can reduce. Remember, people who take regular physical activity suffer far less heart disease than people who don’t.
Shedding Excess Weight
- Cycling helps to burn body fat and raise your metabolic rate – contributing factors that can make you lose weight. If you undertake physical activity regularly, you can enjoy a more varied diet without increasing your body weight.
Reducing Stress
- Anxiety, stress and depression are all alleviated, partly due to the physical activity itself, but also due to the pleasure and satisfaction of riding a bike. Cycling is convenient for short journeys and often faster across town than other forms of transport.
- It's a stress free means of taking physical activity because it can form part of a daily routine. So there's no need to worry about fitting your new healthy lifestyle into an already overcrowded schedule.
This page was last updated on 02 December 2009