Cycling has several advantages over other exercises, according to experts. June 3 is observed as ‘world cycling day’. It is a great fun activity that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike. A fantastic workout, it not only enables you to derive pleasure, but also goes a long way in ensuring your overall fitness.
One can ride a bicycle almost anywhere, at any time of the year, and at low cost. Little or no time has to be lost, as bicycle travel can be used to get to work, perform errands, or enjoy the outdoors. Commuting by bicycle reduces pollution that causes asthma and bronchitis. A commuting cyclist is also less exposed to air pollution than a commuting motorist.
The benefits of cycling go beyond health issues. The best part about this sporting activity is that, you would find cycling a delightful experience, without even realising that it has done well to your body. Cycling proves to be one of the most effective exercises, to shed off those extra calories and get rid of flabby abs. Even a small amount of cycling can prove to be good enough to boost your metabolism level, thereby fastening your weight loss programme. It helps to improve the overall balance and coordination.
Cycling as a movement is picking up in India:
Cycling in India needs a shift from being used for commuting primarily, to a recreational activity. In the United States, 60 per cent of cyclists are recreational whereas in India 98 per cent of them are daily commuters.The benefit of cycling is that it immensely helps enhance the environment.
A major environmental concern is global warming; cycling helps reduce carbon emissions which contribute to global warming. Road traffic is a major source of pollution, whereas cycling surely helps in reduction of health threatening pollutants in the air.
Cycling minimises the risk of coronary heart disease. Essentially an aerobic exercise, it gives your heart, blood vessels and lungs a workout, thereby reducing the risk of heart problems. A few miles of cycling per day assure trimmer and toned muscles. This is because your upper thigh muscles, backside and calf muscles all get to workout.
Pursuing cycling helps a great deal in building your stamina. It enables you to carry out your day-to-day activities more effectively. For people, who are on the heavier side, cycling can prove to be beneficial. It manages weight and helps in getting rid of increased waistline and bulging fat.
The pleasure and satisfaction attained while riding a bicycle alleviates all the stress, anxiety and depression of a person. This might come to you as a surprise, but cycling ensures a control in the level of blood pressure. Cycling enhances the overall fitness level of a person. It makes you breathe deeper and perspire more, thereby leading to a feeling of enhanced body temperature. Cycling has found to be effective for treating people diagnosed with diabetes and cancer.
Lets out no harmful chemicals in the air:
A complete leisure activity, cycling gives you the opportunity to spend time with friends. A chance to meet new people and discover new places cannot be ruled out as well. Cycling is a complete environmental friendly activity. Unlike other means of transport, it lets out no harmful chemicals in the air. Cycling can prove to be the best mode to move around your local area without any difficulty.
With zero emission, bicycles are ultimate clear-energy vehicles. Billions are invested towards ‘green cars’ and ‘carbon-reduction schemes,’ it’s time we promote cycling and build infrastructure to support the same. Apart from being opportunities for physical activity, active transport also contributes to the health of the population and other benefits to society.
Some quick facts on Cycling
1. “Twenty bicycles can be parked in the same space taken up by one car.
2. ‘Between 70 and 100 bicycles can be built with the resources required to build one car.
3. ‘The furthest anyone has ever cycled in 24 hours is just under 1,217 miles, achieved by American Michael Secrest in 1990.
4. A German called Markus Riese once cycled 18km miles in one hour -backwards.
5. The tallest rideable bicycle is more than 14 feet tall.
6. There are about a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as motorcars, almost 400 million bicycles are in China. Every year some 50 million bicycles – and 20 million cars – are produced.
7. ‘The world speed record on a bicycle is held By John toward, Olympic cyclist and Ironman triathlon winner from the US. In 1985 he reached 245, 08 km/h (152.2 mph), cycling in the slipstream of a specially designed car.
8.While American Lance Armstrong has won the ‘Tour de france a record seven times, four cyclists have each won it five times. They are Jacques Anquetil (France), Tddy Merckx (Belgium), ‘Bernard HinauLt (France) and Miguel Indurain (Spain).
Health Benefits:
1. Cycling promotes good blood circulation, since the entire body is involved in the exercise. By controlling your breathing while pedaling, you can help your blood circulate oxygen everywhere from your toes to your nose.
2. On a bicycle you can travel 3 times faster than you can walk, for the same amount of energy.
3. When cycling during a sunny day, you also allow your skin to create the ever-important vitamin D.
4. Through cycling, you can target your thigh muscles by standing up and pedaling on Low gears; or focus on arm strength By crouching over your handle bars at a slow pale.
5. Leisurely cycling (around 12 mph) burns calories at the same rate as very brisk -walking.
6. Cycling at five miles per hour Burns around 175 calories per hour, lip the pale to 13 miles per hour and the calorie burn rate climbs to more than 600 per hour.
Environmental Benefits:
1. Cycling produces no direct CO2 pollution. A Certain amount –will be caused by the production of bicycles, but this is much less than vehicle production.
2. On a bicycle you can travel up to 1037 kilometers on the energy equivalent of a single liter of petrol.
3. On a bicycle you take up Little space, Burn no gasoline and produce no ‘waste, and a Bike can travel 1,600 kilometers (960 miles) on the equivalent energy of a gallon of gas.
4. Exhaust from cars damages the ozone in an irreparable manner. “Take up cycling once in a “while to do your minimal best to help the environment and climate.
