Saturday 22 October 2011

Why cycle? - because it's good for you!

Why cycle?
Good question!

There are many answers.
 For example, the NHS (the National Health Service - the UK's main health service provider) claims cycling:

  • "is a truly invigorating and liberating experience, enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life"
  • "regular cycling can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can also boost your mood and keep your weight under control"
  • "cycling is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine because it's also a form of transport. That means it saves you money, gets you fit and contributes to a cleaner environment"
  • "it's a low-impact type of exercise, so it's easier on your joints than running or other high-impact aerobic activities. But it still helps you get into shape"
Sounds good!

 Read it for yourself here: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/getting-started-guides/Pages/getting-started-cycling.aspx
and here: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/pages/cycling.aspx


Over in the USA, the American Heart Association recommends ALL exercise (!), claiming that:
  • Physical activity boosts "mental wellness" - and can relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger, as well as improoving mental acuity and memory
  • Physical activity boosts your immune system and reduces the risk from cancer and heart disease
  • Physical activity can boost your levels of "good" cholesterol, and can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 mm of mercury (the same sort of level as common antihypertensive medications, e.g. "statins")
  • Every hour you exercise adds about two hours to your life expectancy, even if you don't start until middle age.
Cycling for transport (rather than for purely leisure) also saves importing that extra little bit of fuel, which helps the national Balance of Trade position, produces a bit less CO2, increases national fuel security, and aids World peace by removes a tiny bit of one of the reasons why so many wars get fought (especially in the "Middle East").

It's a WIN, WIN, WIN situation!