On Bicycling Benefits



by Fidela Mcgillivray


How would you want to save the earth at the same time save also your money? Moreover, do you also want to be healthier? Basically you get to gain bicycling benefits if you make it a habit to ride even for just a few days for every week. You do not have to worry if you cannot remember anymore the last time you ever touched a bicycle. In the long run, you get to see its benefits if you just start by trying it for yourself. You just imagine how fun it was before to be riding your bike.

The environment can benefit so much when you use a bike in riding. Cars have more complicated parts and functions making it very harmful to the environment, unlike bicycles which are simpler and thus have fewer effects on the environment. Since bicycles do not have emissions, air remains clean and unpolluted. They say that about 40% of automobile trips are within two miles from home, and knowing that percentage, 60% of pollution from emissions happens in the first few minutes that is when the engine is still cold. True enough if you use a bicycle in a four-mile trip, you get to avoid 15 pounds of pollutants.

The economy can likewise gain benefits from bicycling. Of course it has never been a secret to everyone that cars are more expensive than bicycles. Bicycles do not need you to buy gasoline for it to start and maintenance is cheaper than car maintenance. You get to exercise as well when riding your bicycle thus not only do you save money from bicycle expense but also from health care cost. An obese person can reach an expense of $1500 more in medical costs per year than a fit person can pay, that's according to some studies. Moreover you get to have lesser Medicare and Medicaid payments if you are fit, thus taxpayer dollars are lesser too.

Bicycling can also do good to your health. In 2000, 16.6% of all mortality were due to obesity. This is already very scary since it is almost equal to those caused by cigarette smoking. You get to lose weight easily and improve cardiovascular fitness making you a lesser risk of developing heart disease and stroke. You also have a better and improved circulation that greatly minimizes aches and pains, and there are joint movements included that can reduce the risk of arthritis. The immune system is also heightened in order to fight more against a lot of illnesses. When you ride the bike, your levels of cortisol in the blood are decreased. This cortisol is associated with the mysterious Syndrome X. This is a cluster of conditions and symptoms that includes heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

You see there are a lot of benefits you can get. Most people have had their bicycling experience during childhood so it is really not a problem as to how you ride it. What yo need to do is to start now. It can be very enjoyable most especially if you do it with your friends and family. If your weather does not permit you to do it outdoors, then you can put your bicycle on a trainer and ride indoors. You can make this a habit by scheduling your bicycle ride several times a week.




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