10 Reasons to Get On Your Bike

Whether it’s a family jaunt through the local countryside, an urban commute to work or a serious hobby with all the gear, cycling is for everyone. Here are 10 reasons to get pedalling today.

1.Cycling is great exercise.

It’s low impact, which means that it puts less strain on your joints and muscles than jogging or other weight-bearing exercise, but it’s still excellent cardiovascular exercise. Cardiovascular exercise – the kind that gets your heart beating and blood pumping – gives us excellent long-term protection against some serious medical conditions like heart attacks and stroke.

2. A bike is a cheap and reliable form of transport.

Bikes are cheaper than travelling by car or public transport. They’re powered by you and a well-maintained bicycle will last a lifetime. They are also relatively cheap to get repaired or when replacement parts are needed. And it feels great when you learn how to fix a puncture or replace a tyre yourself.

3. Cycling is good for the environment.

Want to lower your carbon footprint? Take up cycling. Bikes have zero emissions, and the more people who use bikes instead of cars, the lower air pollution we’ll have in our towns and cities.

4. Cycling can make the commute to work less frustrating.

Whizz through traffic jams with a smile on your face. Rush hour becomes a thing of the past on a bicycle as you pass static cars at busy commuting times. Or find a quieter, more pleasant route to work on a bike and arrive at your job refreshed and full of endorphins.

5. Cycling is a wonderful way to discover the world around you.

You’re open to the sights, sounds and smells of the places you go. You can take roads less travelled and lanes too narrow for cars, or too far to get to by foot. Planning routes and finding short-cuts is a fantastic way to improve your navigational skills.

6. Cycling is excellent for your mental health.

As you become one with your machine, the breeze on your face, and the soothing repetition of your feet on the pedals, your worries melt away. When exercising your brain releases adrenaline and endorphins which enhance your mood.

7. Cycling will help you lose fat and build muscle.

Cycling burns between 400 and 1,000 calories an hour, so with the right diet it’s a fantastic way to lose weight. Cycling builds muscles too and builds your core strength.

8. Cycling is easy.

They say things you can’t forget are “like riding a bike” and it’s true; once you’ve learned that’s all you need to pick up a bike and go. It can be a bit wobbly at first, but practice will soon build, or rebuild, your confidence.

9. Cycling is fun.

Whether out by yourself, cycling with friends and family or going as far as joining a cycling club, riding a bike is fun. Sometimes going up a big hill will dampen your spirits but freewheeling all the way down the other side almost makes up for it. Cycling with a partner or in groups is a great way to be social and explore together.

10. Cycling is accessible.

There are many different types of bicycles, each suited to different types of cycling. If you want to rip up and down mountains and through forests, try a mountain bike. If speed and efficiency on the open road is your thing, try a road bike. If you’re keen to learn tricks and impress at the local skate park, get a BMX. A touring bike is perfect for anyone who wants to load up and hit the trail. If you want to do a bit of everything you can’t go wrong with a hybrid. And with tricycles, trailers, recumbents, powered cycles and disability-adapted bikes becoming widely available, there truly is a bike for every one of us.