Cycling is a fantastic way to exercise and travel at the same time that you can do for free while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and fresh air. It is convenient, allowing you to do things at your own pace while also bringing health benefits and perhaps even allowing you to build a community of people who enjoy hopping on the bike as much as you do. And while you can go cycling when you travel and even challenge yourself to explore rougher terrain off the beaten track, there’s an ever-growing number of people who enjoy pedalling through the city and using their bicycle to get to work or run errands.
While it may seem like a very slight difference to make, it can have truly transformative effects for you and the world as well. Here are some of the most noteworthy.
Environmental help
The global effects of climate change are a serious threat to the livelihoods and well-being of people worldwide, ranging from an increased spread of infectious diseases to higher poverty levels, food insecurity, and property loss due to extreme weather events like flooding, wildfires or hurricanes. The breakdown of the typical weather patterns affects humans and biodiversity and brings the planet’s future into question. As a result, most people feel that it is their duty to do their part and keep their carbon footprints as low as possible. One of the simplest ways to do this is to choose public transit or cycling instead of your car.
Naturally, this cannot be done every time, and you will require the use of your vehicle for specific tasks, but if your drive to the office becomes a daily bicycle ride, you should definitely do it. On https://upway.co/, you can find several types of city e-bikes that are perfect for daily community use and that help you stay in shape and reduce the amount of carbon released in the atmosphere at the same time. It’s truly a win-win situation. Although it can seem like a drop in the ocean in the grand scheme of things, remember that every action counts and that cycling reduces air pollution, one of the leading causes of several millions of deaths every year.
Finances
The pandemic, the threat of geopolitical conflicts and escalating tensions, as well as volatile political climates have a profound impact on the economy. This naturally means that people’s finances suffer as a result, and there are many who live paycheck to paycheck and still feel that they’re barely making ends meet even if they work more than one job. In this context, many have turned to budgeting and saving as much as they can to feel more in control of their finances and create a safety net they can rely on in an emergency.
Depending on the vehicle and where you live, you can spend anywhere between several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars every year on taxes, repairs and maintenance work for a car, and that is without accounting for the fuel consumption. Taking your bike more often lets you bypass a lot of these costs, and you might even save some money as well. While your bike might require repairs every now and then, they will generally be nowhere near as pricey as those necessary for a car.
Safety
Driving through a busy city requires you to be attentive at all times in order to avoid accidents and collisions. The injuries cyclists might acquire as a result of such events could be potentially life-threatening. Motorists can sometimes be aggressive and drive their cars in a way that doesn’t leave much space for others, but you must not get involved in situations such as these. Avoiding them at all costs and not falling victim to road rage are the ideal options. The lack of traffic lights at intersections is of particular concern for bike riders. Setting off at the same time as the drivers can be very dangerous.
Some of the roads or paths you take may not be very well maintained, so you mustn’t go very fast, or you could be thrown off or damage your bike. In cities with plenty of cars and close to no cyclists, you will see very few designated paths for cycling, meaning that you’ll have to share the same road with others. If there are parked vehicles along the side of the road, you may be forced to avoid them by getting into the path of the vehicles. Scooter riders, vehicles honking and pedestrians who are not careful when crossing are some of the other factors that could potentially make bike riding hazardous.
Health
There is no denying the benefits of cycling for your physical health. Getting an e-bike from https://upway.co/ lets you be more active and also provides you with an added boost so that you don’t feel overwhelmed or intimidated if you’re a beginner. Riding a bicycle is good for heart health, as well as for the joints and bones. If you’re dealing with mild mobility issues or are frequently complaining of your muscles feeling stiff or sore, getting some movement every morning could be hugely helpful. However, the mental health benefits of cycling are often not considered despite being just as important.
Regular movement makes it easier to manage the symptoms of anxiety or chronic stress and can help you get more restful sleep at night, which lets you feel energised and ready to tackle the day. Cycling gives you the opportunity to reconnect with your surroundings and become more aware of the intricacies of the city you inhabit. The more people start cycling, the more likely you are to find a welcoming community for you, one that can create spaces and areas that prioritise the needs of cyclists. These are very important things considering the hectic schedules of most people nowadays, which can leave you feeling weary and lonely.
Bike riding is a relatively simple act, but when you consider it from a more in-depth perspective, it becomes pretty complex. The next time you think about driving to work, ask yourself if the bike wouldn’t be the better option, and consider all the benefits it can bring for yourself and the world.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
