Whether it’s a form of transport, a cycling holiday, intense competition or a casual bike ride through your surrounds, cycling is an excellent activity that benefits you physically, psychologically and socially. It is a relatively low impact form of exercise and, if you’re not too fit, you can build it up gradually. You’ll find yourself cycling along, enjoying the scenery, sun and breeze, without even being aware you’re exercising!
Health benefits include:
- Gentle on joints Cycling is gentle on joints and its vertical rolling mechanism as you pedal means it is good for you if you have sore knees or stiffness. It is a great low impact activity if you have arthritis or osteoporosis.
- It's environmentally friendly Cycling can be an ideal form of transport that can help you reduce your carbon footprint. Rather than sitting in traffic, you can cycle along. It can be a great way to get to work or run an errand that's too far to walk. Increasingly, many cities are becoming more cycle-friendly with cycle paths and long routes.
- Gets you outdoors Cycling is a great way to get more in touch with your surroundings. You'll notice so much more riding a bike than you will from a car or train window. Getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine will also give you a Vitamin D boost.
- Improves cardiovascular health Cycling gets your heart pumping and takes oxygen to all parts of your body. By raising your heart rate, it helps prevent coronary heart disease.
- Enhances brain power Pedalling increases cerebral blood flow which is good for brain health. One study showed that blood flow to the whole brain increased by 28% and to some areas by up to 70%. Cycling regularly can help reduce the risk of dementia.
- Improves spatial awareness and navigation When riding a bike, you need to adjust your body to turn corners, ascend and descend hills, and vary your speed. All of this improves your spatial awareness and gives you greater confidence when moving in other ways too. This can help you reduce falls that can happen in later life. Having to navigate the route you're taking also teaches you good orientation and navigating skills.
- Encourages social interaction While cycling alone can be restorative in nature, there are also cycling groups you can join for rides on weekends and weekdays. This is a good source of new friendships and can encourage you to try new areas and routes you may not on your own.
- Enhances mood Cycling outdoors, being at one with nature is a basic mood raiser. You can enjoy the view, and get a sense of accomplishment. Cycling alone gives you the space and time to process things happening in your life, or you get to meet new people in a group. All of these are ways to offset or manage depression.
- Burns fat and builds muscles Cycling is a great way to keep weight off or reduce it as it burns fat and builds muscle. It is particularly good for shaping your calves, thighs, quads and glutes.
"The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine.” - John Howard, USA cyclist