Do you want to get more exercise? How about helping the environment? Does spending less cash on gas sound appealing? Give cycling a try! Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 17!
WHY BIKE?
Cycling on a flat road is considered a moderate-intensity cardio workout, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 2.5 hours of this type of exercise every week. Plus, surprise! Your lower and upper body get a workout when you get on that bike, and your abs do, too! [1]
WHO BIKES?
Most Bicycle-Friendly States: [4]
Are you worried that biking to work will take too long? A study published in 2018 found that about 90% of drivers surveyed overestimated the time it would take them to bike or walk to school by at least 10 minutes! [5]
BIKE SAFELY
While more cities are becoming bike-friendly, with designated paths and lanes for two-wheelers, it's still important to take precautions to keep yourself safe on your ride.
Wear your helmet
While no state law requires adults to wear one, it's in your (and your brain's) best interest. Oh, and your town or city might require you to helmet up, so check your local laws.
Choose reflectors
If it's raining or dark, you definitely want to wear bright colors and reflectors while riding. Heck, it's a good idea anytime you're on that bike.
Yield
You may have the right of way, but use your judgment and extreme caution when crossing roads or riding in traffic. It's better to wait and give way than get injured. On a bicycle, you will never win against a car.
Signal
Always communicate your intention to turn or shift lanes well in advance. And again, when in doubt, yield to the bigger, stronger vehicles on the road.
BIKE STORAGE
Where do you keep your bicycle? Do you have room for it? Here are some ways to keep your two-wheeler out of the way but handy when you need it.
Sources: [1] Livestrong [2] Health.gov [3] Harvard Medical School [4] League of American Bicyclists, 2018 benchmarking report [5] Transportmetrica A: Transport Science [6] Census.gov