In the mood to go cycling today? On World Bicycle Day, observed every June 3, people all over the world celebrate the joys and benefits of cycling.

World Bicycle Day was adopted by the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly in 2018 to recognize bicycles' "uniqueness, longevity and versatility."

Bicycles are among the simplest modes of transportation around, and have been around for "centuries," noted the U.N. Not only is cycling a fun activity for kids and adults everywhere, it is also a "sustainable" means of transportation.

"World Bicycle Day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle—a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation," noted the UN. "The bicycle contributes to cleaner air and less congestion and makes education, health care and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations."

Furthermore, cycling also provides a means of low to moderate intensity physical activity, which has various health benefits. As the U.N. noted, "some physical activity is better than none," and what better way to celebrate World Bicycle Day, or even maintain regular physical activity, than to go on a fun bike ride.

On this day, let's have a look at some benefits of cycling that may just make you want to go out for a ride. (Courtesy: Better Health Channel, Healthline and the University of Montana)

  • Cycling is a low-impact activity, which means it causes less injuries and strain when compared to other types of exercises. For instance, it can help strengthen the lower body, especially the legs, without putting too much stress on the joints.
  • Cycling is environment friendly. Research from Europe showed that opting to ride a bike instead of a car once a day may reduce one's transportation carbon footprint by 67%.
  • Overall, it's a good exercise that uses all the major muscle groups.
  • It's an activity that's good for beginners and people of all ages enjoy cycling.
  • Using bikes instead of cars lessens the need to clear land for parking lots, which often also entails removing trees and vegetation.
  • Cycling can protect people from serious diseases such as diabetes, obesity, some cancers, arthritis and stroke.
  • Regular cycling can also help improve mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress.
  • People are more likely to support businesses nearby when they use bicycles. This is compared to when driving a car, which leads people to tend to drive farther to do their errands.
  • Cycling can help improve balance, posture and coordination. Balance, in particular, tends to decline as people age or if they're inactive, noted Healthline. So improving it is key to avoiding falls and fractures.
  • Since cycling is a low-maintenance activity, it's easier to fit it into one's schedule, for instance by opting to use a bike to go to a nearby places or work instead of using a car.

These are just some of the many benefits of cycling, but also keep in mind to follow some important safety tips when engaging in the activity. This includes following traffic laws, using sunscreen when biking during the day, staying in lanes for cyclists, and using lights and reflective gear when biking at night.

Bicycle
Representation. Pixabay-Pexels
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