Bike for health & well-being

Two blue 1970s Schwinn bicycles sat in the garage at the Edmond’s house for as long as April remembered. Her aunt and uncle loved the bikes, and rode them for fun, and to do errands around their mid-size city in Ontario. April was never much of a biker herself, but as she cleaned out her relative’s garage after they both passed away, she found herself wondering how it would feel. 

April dusted off her aunt’s bike, pumped up the tires, and set off into the neighborhood. After a few minutes, April remembered how it felt to ride as a little girl. She felt free, and a rush of adrenaline engulfed her. On the back of her aunt’s bike, April saw a wire basket. It was what her aunt used to carry groceries home from the store. As she rounded the corner back to her aunt and uncle’s home, April realized she could easily do the same. 

Riding a bike rather than driving a car has many health benefits, both to individuals and societies. Today, we’re exploring the many benefits of switching from 4 wheels to 2!

Economical & convenient

Though gas prices are always fluctuating, the average Canadian spends around 4% of their annual income on gas. Plus, cars require maintenance, insurance, and government registration fees, and many times you have to pay to park a car. Biking, on the other hand, after the purchase of a good bike and helmet, and perhaps occasional maintenance fees, is free. Over the course of a year, thousands of dollars are saved when an individual chooses to bike rather than drive a car. 

Biking instead of driving offers many conveniences. In heavy traffic, biking can be as fast as diving. When parking is tight, having a small bike to store is a great convenience. Many cities allow cyclists to take their bikes on public transportation if they need to get across the city faster, as well.

Exercise & health benefits

Riding a bike has a lot of health benefits. It is a low-impact exercise that varies in intensity, so many people can benefit from the exercise. Cycling at a high intensity level promotes healthy weight and reduces fat. Additionally, biking intensely helps to increase metabolism and build muscle mass, which helps to burn more calories at rest. 

Biking strengthens leg muscles, targeting the hamstrings, calves, glutes and quads. However, it doesn’t put too much stress on the joints, which is important for aging well. Weight-lifting exercises for the legs can help with increasing strength for bike trips as well.

Cardiovascular health is also improved by routine biking. Cholesterol levels can be improved, which means chances of stroke and heart attack can decrease. Additionally, balance and coordination are both increased when biking, which is especially important for people as they age.

Biking is good for the mind & emotional health

A 2019 study found that older adults’ cognitive functioning improved by regular cycling. Getting out of the mind and into the body eases stress, anxiety, and depression. Cycling can be meditative, as you focus on the ride and nature around you, being in the present moment. All of us need energetic outlets for our feelings, and biking is a particularly fun one! 

Additionally, exercise promotes the release of endorphins in the body, which help with lowering stress levels and makes individuals feel good. Making cycling a part of every day may help you feel more content, confident, and peaceful!

Environmentally friendly

A 2021 study found that in European cities, when individuals commute by bike rather than car once per day, their carbon footprint is reduced by 67%. Air pollution is decreased when fewer cars are emitting gas. A University of California article notes that typical cars emit almost five metric tons of carbon dioxide per year from burning fuel. Since bikes are human-powered they don’t add pollution to the atmosphere. 

Noise pollution is also an issue with traffic. Noises from cars have an impact on the environment, causing health problems and stress for people, and it can also impact ecosystems. Bikes are quiet and peaceful, on the other hand, and promote a more healthy environment. 

What we do today to help the environment will impact future generations. The impacts of wildfires, drought, and severe weather will be playing out for decades to come. Much of the damage has been caused by greenhouse gasses caused by transportation. Biking is a legitimate solution to climate change, and it can be started any time! 

After the exploration of her aunt and uncle’s bikes, April decided to buy one of her own. She invested $300 into a new bike, and a helmet. It felt like a good purchase, since she was already spending almost that much on gas every month. April decided to explore trails in her city that she’d never been on before. April also began buying from the stores that were closest to her, and carrying her groceries and other items home on her bike. Her mindset began to change, and she wanted to buy less at once, and be more present in what she was doing every day. April’s legs got stronger, and she felt happier in general. She was glad to find this new way to live, and felt she was carrying her aunt and uncle’s legacy into the future.

Discover additional valuable insights for promoting healthy aging by exploring our blog here: qualicare.com/blog/