I am sure we all remember that joyful day – When we learnt riding a bicycle and had our First solo ride without using Pedal Support, Human Support etc. The Joy, the Happiness, the Self-Proud feeling and the Confidence was extremely immense. This sense of merriness and joviality continued for a few years and then we lost the balance. 

I think, the generation born after 1995 in India is deprived of this asset of bicycle riding. On the Occasion of World’s BiCycle Day today i.e. 3rd June – I, along with my fellow rider mates, went for an awareness ride to discuss the great perks of bicycle riding. This event was organised by Audacity Riders Group in collaboration with Embassy of Turkmenistan.

 

 

We all have heard of this beautiful and motivational quote – Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. When we are attaining such a great life lesson from the simple art of riding a bicycle, we should not neglect and always keep in mind the benefits of riding a bicycle and act upon them.

There are Physical, Mental and Environmental Benefits of Riding a Bicycle. Let me talk about these 3 categories in brief at the best of my Knowledge.

Major Physical Benefits of Riding a Bicycle –

1. Builds and Tones Muscles – As we all know that cycling involves a lot of peddling, we have an impression that it affects and tones only the muscles of thighs and calves, but it is an overall physical workout and involves the movement of almost every part of the body like arms, abdomen/core, etc. This increases the flexibility of muscles and hence, aerobic fitness receives a boost.
2. Aerobic Workout – Aerobic Workout is great for your heart, brain, and blood vessels. Aerobic exercise triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s feel-good chemicals—which may make you feel young at heart.
3. Energy level shoots up – Cycling helps in increasing the body’s stamina and gives a boost to the endurance capacity of a person. As a result, Energy level of one’s body increases.
4. Weight loss – Cycling helps to burn calories to a very good extent. Riding a cycle at an average speed of 15 km/h can burn up to 260 calories in an hour. It helps maintaining a lean body structure.

All the physical benefits of cycling ultimately leads to increase in the basic endurance of human body while standing, walking, running, etc. It is proven that cycling reduces the risk of cancer and helps in the treatment of Arthritis.

Major Mental Benefits of Riding a Bicycle –

Whenever and wherever we read or listen about benefits of cycling – it is only the physical health benefits. Nobody talks about its mental and psychological benefits, which are in abundance.

1. Stress Management/reduction – It is scientifically proven that playing any kind of sports release stress busting hormones in your body. But playing sports is not everybody’s cup of tea and what if I like playing cricket but I don’t have opportunities and infrastructure for the same. Cycling doesn’t need company and only basic infrastructure is needed. So, Cycling equally helps in reducing stress and depression.
2. Helps you sleep better – Cycling reduces stress in human body by reducing the secretion of cortisol (stress hormone) and hence helps in sleeping better.
3. Improves Memory – With regular cycling, new cells are generated in the hippocampus part of the brain which is responsible for memory parameters of human body.

Research on mental and psychological benefits of cycling is still going on and is never ending. It is already proven that cycling helps in improving your creative thinking and boosting your productivity. So why Wait ! Start today 🙂

Major Environmental Benefits of Riding a Bicycle –

Environmental benefits of Cycling are quite obvious. Needless to say, Cycling is the new Green.

1. No Pollution – Riding a bicycle will not generate any environmental pollution, which in turn won’t lead to the emission of any harmful gases in our surroundings – So less health risks with better air to Breathe in. Therefore, cycling is one of the most important step towards our fight with climate change.
2. No Honking – Imagine, how quieter the roads will be when there are more bicycles and less motor vehicles on road. It will be such a bliss.
3. No traffic jam/Delays – Major problem which almost all of us face today on Roads – Traffic jam. With bicycles on roads, who can even think of getting stuck in a traffic congestion.

I cannot think of a better mode of short transfers which benefits your health, your environment and doesn’t cost you anything like the motor vehicles do. Its high time our Government should also promote cycling among all generations and in turn, we should also start acting on it to save ourselves, our environment, or mother nature and our generations to come.

DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WHILE RIDING A BICYCLE –

1. Always wear a helmet
2. Keep yourself hydrated
3. Adjust your seat height properly
4. Use sunglasses
5. Consult doctor immediately, in case of minor injury also.
6. Try to wear well-fitted clothes and not loose fitted clothes.