Why Cycle?
If the Government were to achieve its target of trebling cycling in the period 2000-2010 .... that might achieve more in the fight against obesity than any individual measure we recommend within this report. (Commons Select Committee report on obesity, May 2004)
Thousands of people have realised that using their bicycles to make journeys can help them to lose weight without dieting, save money, and enjoy a longer, healthier life. In addition, you could help to make Scotland a better place to live.
Look better- Gentle cycling uses fat as fuel. Using your bicycle to make some journeys, such as riding to work or picking up the Sunday papers, will help you to lose weight and shape your body. Because it is easy to control how hard you are working, cyclingis an ideal, low impact activity if you have not been able to take exercise regularly. It is also an excellent complement to other sporting activities. For information on how cycling can get you fitter you can ask your question in our forum.
Feel better- Being in a car exposes you to around 25% more pollution than if you are walking or cycling. This can cause or worsen headaches, eye pain, asthma and respiratory complaints. Every time you exercise, especially outdoors, you boost your immune system, helping you to fight off illness. While cycling, it is often easy to find pleasant, traffic-free routes meaning that your journeys can become a pleasant addition to your day. Apart from the physical benefits, cycling has also been proven to assist in preventing and overcoming depression. If you would like more information on how cycling can improve your well-being, ask your question via our forum.
Save money- Apart from walking, cycling is the cheapest way to travel. It is far cheaper per mile than public transport or driving. While it may not be practical for every journey, the local journeys most suited to cycling are also the worst for your car, your bank balance and the environment. Driving short distances, especially in traffic, causes significant wear and tear to engines and uses much more fuel per mile than a longer journey on the open road. By cycling to your destination, you also remove the need for parking charges. In many countries, even those with more hills and worse weather, people realise that the car is not the intelligent choice for all trips, and think nothing of using the bike for local journeys. Apart from the money saved by doing this, getting into the habit of making trips by bicycle lets you stay in shape without paying for gym classes or sports equipment. If you need advice on starting to commute by bicycle you can get a free copy of "Getting Started, a guide to commuting by bicycle". Please send a stamped, addressed envelope to;
Cycling Scotland, 24 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4BG
Live longer- You will reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, respiratory disease and diabetes as soon as you incorporate moderate activity into your life. If you do this regularly, statistics show that people who, for example, cycle to work regularly enjoy the wellbeing of people ten years younger. Whether you want to be in better shape to play with the kids (or grand-children), get an edge over your friends at five-a-side or simply feel better on a day to day basis, bike journeys can change your life for surprisingly little effort. You can live a longer life and get more from it in exchange for sacrificing some car journeys or a few hours in front of the t.v. Surely your own life is worth that?
Save yourself some time- In many cases we climb into the car without realising that it may not be the fastest way to get from A to B. 62% of all journeys we make are between 1 and 2 miles,and nearly 75% are under 5 miles. As the greatest desire to make these journeys is at "rush hour", this means that the time when most people want to travel is the very time we move the slowest. A cyclist can easily average 10 miles an hour, even when the streets are congested. Some choose to use traffic-free cycle lanes, very often hidden from the road network in pleasant parkland or waterway environments, some choose to mix with the traffic which is very often near stationary anyway. Either way, a half hour drive to work can often be easily completed in under 15 minutes by bike, and that's without going hard enough to even consider needing a shower or a change of clothes. In addition, there's no need to queue for parking spaces, and no need to find time to use a gym, go jogging etc. to be healthy. The journey you're making anyway covers your needs to stay in shape.
Give your brain a boost- Regular physical activity helps more than just your body. People starting their day with a ride to work or school become more alert, confident and better able to process information and handle tasks. By using your bike on a regular basis, you will also be able to deal with stress or anxiety and boost your self confidence.
Do it for the kids- Recent surveys suggest that in the UK over the next 10 years we will see a 25% increase in the number of children dying before their parents. Why? Even inactive parents probably walked to school, played physical games and in doing so developed their immune system and strengthened their hearts. Even after becoming sedentary the body retains these benefits to some degree. Unfortunately, an inactive lifestyle in the home influences children and prevents them from gaining these invaluable assets. The result, apart from an alarming rise in childhood obesity, is that the current, less active generation of children and youths will not have the resources to cope with physical stresses to their bodies in the same way. This makes the implications of normal illnesses much worse, and coupled with the subsequent rise in inactivity related illnesses, the result is that more people will get ill and die young. You can help your family and yourself. Find time for active play or recreation, encourage active travel, even if it's just walking to school or to the shops, look for opportunities to be more active while doing normal things (like taking the stairs instead of the elevator). If you would like advice on this, you can contact your local NHS trust and ask for advice on healthy living. Your local council will probably also operate community health programmes, and you can contact us for advice or training on making journeys by bicycle.
See Scotland at its best- There are thousands of beautiful places around Scotland which can be enjoyed even more by bicycle. Cycling at a level of effort similar to a gentle stroll can let you cover enough ground to complete a forest loop, a tour of a country park or a pleasant afternoon exploring 5 or 6 villages with cafe stops and tourist attractions. All this without worrying about parking and at the same time as getting some moderate physical activity. You can use the rail network throughout Scotland to take day trips or longer holidays with your bicycle, and ferry travel is much cheaper than if you were taking your car. From a bicycle, you get a much more distinct impression of the world around you, with a greater awareness of the sounds, smells and sights that make Scotland such a unique place.
