Whether you’re looking to make an environmental statement or just want to save money on petrol, one of the best ways to get your exercise in while commuting to work is by riding your bike. Cycling in North Wales provides plenty of mental and physical benefits, many of which go hand-in-hand with each other. The next time you’re considering starting a regular cycling routine, consider these top five benefits of cycling to work.
1) Reduces Daily Stress
Cycling relieves stress. Why? Because it gets you out and about and active, thus allowing for a change in routine. A morning commute is no longer about sitting behind a wheel; it’s about what’s around you! Exposure to different people, activities and even scenic routes will all make an impact on your perspective of work (in most cases). This all means that a short ride can help reduce stress before you even start your day. In fact, a study found that bike commuters are more alert and experience greater feelings of energy and enthusiasm than their car-commuting counterparts. What’s not to love about that?
2) Helps you Save Money
Getting a bicycle is cheaper than buying a car. Owning and maintaining a car can be extremely expensive per year, while cycling can save you money in fuel and upkeep costs as well as parking fees. There are plenty of safe bike routes around North Wales, plus many tips on how to commute on two wheels. With the option to go electric you can span greater distances than ever too!
3) Improves your Fitness Level
When you cycle to work, you’ll be more fit and healthy than your colleagues who drive or take public transport. This is because exercise is one of the most effective ways of improving cardiovascular fitness, which will result in a healthier heart and lower blood pressure. People who cycle regularly also tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared with people who do not exercise regularly. Cycling daily can also help increase your endurance level, which will make it easier for you to achieve long-term goals. For example, by cycling more often, you could go from walking 6km per hour at a steady pace to 7km per hour at a fast pace within three months if your walking endurance was previously poor.
4) Lower Chance of Developing Heart Diseases
As if you needed a reason to ride your bike, researchers have discovered that bicycle commuters have an overall lower risk of developing heart disease. Researchers found that those who commuted by bike were 40 percent less likely to develop any kind of cardiovascular disease compared with people who drove or used public transportation. Long-distance cyclists were 20 percent less likely to develop coronary artery disease and had almost a 50 percent lower risk of having a stroke.
5) Decreases Car Accidents
According to a study, if all commuters switched from cars to bicycles, bike-related fatalities would drop by 1,800 per year and injuries would drop 10,000. An additional benefit is fewer car accidents on roadways would reduce our need for expensive auto repairs, giving us more of our hard-earned pounds back in our pockets!
