I wonder if there are people among us who don’t know how to ride a bicycle. There are probably, but there are many fewer of them than those who have mastered this most environmentally friendly and accessible form of transport since childhood. But it’s never too late to get behind the wheel of a two-wheeled horse, the traction force of which is your legs. It is not for nothing that a bicycle is an object of sincere love and even passion for many people.
Take China, for example. This vast country with incredible inhabitants is among the most ardent bike fans. More than 50% of the population rides a bicycle here.
Europe can also boast of several cyclists. Holland tops the list – 84% of the population has one or more bicycles. Next comes Finland, where cyclists make up 60% of the population. Cyclists make up 50% of the total population in Spain, and they are constantly growing. This is understandable; the warm climate and the absence of prolonged rains contribute to cycling. The authorities also take an active part in popularizing cycling. New bike paths and city bike rental stations are open yearly, and cycling races and competitions are organized. There are cycling tours in Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Malaga. A cycling tour is an opportunity to see the city, do some sports, and have fun in the company of like-minded people!
Why do so many people choose to ride a bike? What are the benefits of cycling?
Bike = health
This is one side of the benefits of cycling. Cycling is a great thing for health. A group of scientists carefully observed 5 thousand fans of pedaling every day for 20 years. They discovered that those fond of cycling and at decent speeds live five years longer than others. In addition, such bike rides strengthen the heart, develop the lungs, and train the muscles. The result is excess weight goes away. In just an hour of cycling, you burn 600 calories. To achieve noticeable results, you must ride a bike at least three times a week for one and a half to two hours.
Cycling is a great way to strengthen weak lungs and eliminate constant problems with the throat and bronchi. When cycling, the lungs pump a much larger volume of air. That is why professional cyclists develop their lungs to a volume of eight liters! And if you add to this the inhalation of healing sea air, filled with the resinous aromas of trees and shrubs, sunlight, and warmth, we get spa therapy.
Bike = safety
Did you know that the more people on bicycles, the safer the roads become? Drivers on streets full of cyclists become more attentive, try not to break the rules, and not to exceed the speed limit. This fact has been noted in many European countries, where many adults and young people switch to bicycles.
By the way, cycling fans are appearing more and more often in the city, not only in the warm season—from spring to autumn.
Bicycle = absolute benefit
I think there is no need to discuss bicycles’ environmental benefits. Smart people have calculated that the efforts of all people passionate about cycling save no less than 900 million liters of fuel per year! Imagine—the exhaust from this amount of fuel does not get into the air and does not pollute it. And the more people get on bicycles, the easier it will be to breathe on our planet.
Cycling, as we all already understand, is simply necessary for everyone. Therefore, starting this enjoyable and extremely useful activity from childhood is better. It is not for nothing that kids love to ride bikes so much. So, let’s not limit our children’s craving for cycling! And let’s start riding with them – and then with friends, conquering new distances and discovering new places. And then, you see, the pressing issue of buying a new car will disappear… Because if a car burns money but accumulates fat, then a bicycle burns fat and saves money!
A bicycle = new friends
Bicycle rides are an opportunity to have fun in the company of friends. According to some estimates, there are already more than 2 billion cyclists globally, and about 822,000 bicycles are for rent. Almost every European city has bicycle enthusiasts’ organizations that hold bicycle festivals and joint rides. For instance, if you visit Lisbon, you can rent a bicycle or join bicycle excursions here. The cycling community consists of like-minded people united by their love for a two-wheeled horse. We rarely see a motorist stop at a car parked on the side of the road and offer help.
Regarding a bicycle, you can rest assured – you will never be left without support! Every cyclist passing by will offer you help. Or just advise you on how to get there and what to see, or tell you about an interesting route. Or, simply, invite you to a group of cycling enthusiasts.
