There are many reasons that make biking a beneficial life choice. In fact, if you want to improve several areas of your health, biking can be a great way to do that! Biking not only improves your physical health, but also mental and even environmental health as well!
Staying Fit & Active
Biking also grants great physical health attributes as well. Riding your bike can lead to weight loss. It is important to maintain a healthy weight level for overall health. Complications and related disease from obesity kills many people in the United States each year.
Having too much fat can also lead to type two diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and more, which is why it is important to make sure that you have a healthy BMI. Exercising, like biking, can help you reduce your BMI number, get you back to a healthy level, and reduce your chances of developing one of the health issues listed above.²
You might be reading this thinking you need to be a physically active person to experience the physical benefits of biking, but that's not the case. Mountain or road biking are both great ways to get outside and enjoy a workout, instead of doing the same old, uninspired routine. And if you really need an extra boost, electric bikes are another great choice for those who might not have the stamina to bike longer distances.
People start biking at all ages and all types of physicality — no matter what, there's a bike out there that can help you better achieve some of your physical goals.
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
Riding a bike can greatly improve your emotional or mental health. Exercise has been proven again and again to help boost your mental health and reduce or prevent depression and anxiety. Exercise acts like a natural antidepressant by releasing endorphins, which make you feel happy and positive!
At the same time exercise is shown to reduce stress, which makes sense. Have you ever been at work up to your elbows in decisions that need to be made, and things that needed to be done, and then gone for a walk, taken a bike ride, or went for a run? Felt better, right? That is because that "happy" effect you get from exercise that takes away the depression, also reduces cortisol levels. Which is good because cortisol equals stress and can wreak havoc on your body if it remains at a high level for a long period of time.¹
It may seem obvious, but biking is going to make you a fitter, stronger person and that means more self-confidence! Self-confidence is the great slayer of insecurity and will help you feel more confident and assured in your life both at home and at work!
Our cruiser bikes might be just the bike you're looking for in terms of improved emotional and mental health. They're not meant for racing and rushing. Cruisers are for people who want to take it easy and just enjoy the ride.
Eco-Friendly Transportation
If you make attempts to replace some of your current transportation by automobile to transportation by bike you can also increase the environmental health of your local community and the global community as well!
We recently talked about how biking reduces your C02, or Carbon Dioxide, footprint, but biking also provides many other environmental benefits that are less immediately obvious.
One of these environmental benefits is as simple as reduced congestion. Did you know that anywhere from 6 – 12 or more bikes can fit in the same amount of space in a single parking space as one car? Another way to look at it is by the image below. That image shows what it looks like to transport the same amount of people by bus, car, or bike. Imagine now if just half of your community rode bikes half the time. That would create a lot of traffic congestion reduction.
Another seemingly obvious environmental solution is reduced noise pollution. In some cities, there are areas designated to be vehicle-free for just such reasons. An area with less automobile noise pollution adds to a peaceful atmosphere for community members to enjoy.
Lastly, the environment of the community itself can benefit from increased bicycle riding in place of automobiles. United States cities like Portland are seeing healthier citizens, increased local economics, am increased community bond, and much, much more!
A women's or men's road bike, hybrid, e-bike or commuter bike are all great for getting around town. Looking for a way to quickly get to and from work while positively impacting the environment? An e-bike is a good choice. Want to help the environment and your fitness goals all at once? Opt for a hybrid, road or commuter.
