Why cycling is one of the best activities
March 19th, 2018
Here at Cycle Assist, our specialist solicitors have dealt with a wide range of cycling accidents and this can make it difficult to remember that cycling is both an amazing exercise to engage in and has a host of benefits that far outweigh the negative aspects that are sometimes associated with cycling.
In this article, we hope to refresh your perception of cycling by sharing some of the key benefits and help you remember that cycling is great and is something everyone should try if they can.
1. It’s a stress buster
There are so many ways that physical activity can boost your mood and cycling is a perfect low-impact activity that can help boost your mental-wellbeing.
A study by the YMCA showed that people who were physically active regularly were on average 32 per cent happier than inactive individuals.
Cycling is the perfect way to combine physical exercise with being outdoors, meaning you not only get the physical exercise that’s been proven to be good for you, you also have the chance to experience new scenery and amazing views, depending on where you live, and who doesn’t enjoy a lovely view!
2. It helps you lose weight
When it comes to weight loss the simple formula is that you burn more calories than you put into your body. Of course, this is an oversimplification, but the general principle is applicable.
Cycling is not only a great exercise for burning calories, with a person able to burn anywhere between 400-1000 calories an hour depending on how intense the ride is and the size of the cyclist, it is also a great exercise for building muscle.
So if you’re looking to shed some weight and tone up then get on your bike and get out there!
3. It’s great for your lungs
It’s a fact that exercising your lungs by engaging in cardio-intense exercises can help strengthen your lungs and improve their overall health and cycling is one of the best cardio exercises for your body.
However, a study by the Healthy Air Campaign, which involved fitting air pollution detectors to a car driver, a bus user, a cyclist and a pedestrian in central London showed that cyclists experienced 5 times lower pollution levels than the driver and 3.5 times lower pollution levels than the pedestrian and 2.5 times lower than the bus user.
This shows that if you are in a city centre often, cycling really is the best way to get around if you’re looking to stay healthy.
4. Saves time
Everyone in 2018 is busy, whether it’s the morning rush to work or running errands, time is a commodity and using it wisely is one of the toughest challenges of the 21st century.
That’s where cycling comes in. In most cases, if you need to be somewhere, you have 4 choices, car, bus, walk or cycle. If you live in a city then covering distance at speed can be tough, but with designated cycle lanes and the mobility to zip through city streets, cycling is the perfect option.
Not only do you benefit personally by saving yourself some time, but the more people that use cycling as their method of travelling through a city, the less congestion and pollution there will be, which means everyone benefits.
5. Burn calories, not cash
If your looking to save money then cycling is one of the best options out there for your commute.
Whilst the initial outlay for a bike might be substantial, after that you’re commute to work will be free! According to CycleScheme who compiled an extensive breakdown of costs that the average commuter would save over £3,700 each year if they swapped their car for a bike with a saving of over £1,300 if they travelled by bike instead of rail.
So you’ll save money and get those leg muscles pumping at the same time, meaning you’ll have more money and better health.
6. Get that promotion at work
We understand that cycling to work may not directly result in you achieving a promotion, but studies have found that those who cycle to work could be more likely to succeed in their careers because they are fitter, and they are more alert throughout the working day.
Studies also suggest that cyclists also take less sick days as a result of their improved health.
Conclusion
Above we’ve listed just a few of the benefits of hopping on your bike, but there are many more. If you’re looking to get healthier, save money and generally do better at work, then cycling should be a part of everyday life.
The thing to remember is that as much as you may enjoy your ride, staying safe is the top priority.
Sadly, accidents involving cyclists do happen. If you are involved in a cycling accident and believe you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation, our team can help.
Get in touch today by calling 01625 506 672 and find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.