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50+ Benefits (Advantages) of Bicycling

  

 

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Here Are More Than Fifty Good Reasons For Bicycle Commuting, Recreational Bicycling and Creating a Strong Bike Culture In General.

  1. Bicycles increase mobility for those who don't have access to motor transport.
  2. Bikes increase mobility for those who don't qualify to drive a car.
  3. Bicycles increase mobility for those who can't afford motor transport.
  4. Bikes increase mobility for those who don't want to drive motor vehicles.
  5. Bicycling can be faster than walking, transit or motor vehicles.
  6. Bicycling is the most energy efficient form of transportation ever invented.
  7. You get exercise from bicycling.
  8. Save travel money by biking. If the switch is from a car this includes purchase price, gas, tires, fluids, insurance, maintenance, washing, parking, etc.
  9. Reduce stress by bicycling.
  10. Biking is therapeutic for the mind and spirit -- is fun and can make you happy.
  11. Cycling is therapeutic for the cardio-vascular system, live healthier.
  12. Regular cycling provides better muscle tone, bone mass improvement, clearer skin
  13. Regular bicycling helps with personal weight management -- new full-time bicycle commuters can expect to lose an average 13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting if they maintain the same eating habits.
  14. Bicycling is a great initial activity for people who are obese and help them on their way to a healthier life.
  15. Regular cycling can lead to lower health care expenses -- save money for a nicer vacation.
  16. Allows the rider to appreciate the more of the nuances of the natural and built environment around them.
  17. Your commute will be the best part of your day instead of the worst part of your day.
  18. The exercise increase your productivity at work
  19. Cycling improves your self-esteem.
  20. Save on the membership to a health club, get your exercise bicycling to work, school, shopping, etc.
  21. Bicycling is nearly a life-long activity.
  22. Bicycling is a great full family and friends activity.
  23. Cycling is low impact on the body.
  24. Cycling is low impact on the environment
  25. Bicycling in your neighborhood is a great way to meet your neighbors and build community.
  26. Camaraderie of cyclists makes it a great way to meet a nice stranger with a similar interest.
  27. Bicyclist can ignore the highway traffic jam reports.
  28. Feel the satisfaction (liberation, freedom) of biking past a traffic jam in the bike lane.
  29. Predictable commute time.
  30. Easier parking.
  31. Cheaper parking.
  32. Leaving your car at home provide a parking space for someone less fortunate.
  33. If you are lazy, your bicycle provides door-to-door transport (you don't have to walk across a vast parking lot).
  34. Reduces the demand for new roads and paving the earth with asphalt and concrete.
  35. Reduces the demand for parking lots and paving the earth.
  36. Reduces energy consumption (see below).
  37. Reduces air pollution -- bicyclist emit few poisonous gases. A four mile bicycle trip keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.
  38. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
  39. Reduces water pollution -- bikes don't drip brake fluid, anti-freeze, transmission fluid, toxic dust, etc.
  40. Reduces noise pollution -- even without a muffler bikes are quiet, creating a quieter community.
  41. Reduces road wear -- even if cyclist feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.
  42. Reduces deforestation for planting of rubber plantations, because bicycles use very little rubber.
  43. Reduces crime -- a huge amount of crime is associated with access to motor vehicles.
  44. Reduces road kill and saves animals.
  45. Demonstrates a concern for the future -- walk (ride) your talk.
  46. Prevent and protest the sanctioned murder of innocent responsible citizens (homicide by motor-vehicle).
  47. Bikes small profile reduce congestion.
  48. Easy to vary your route by bicycle.
  49. Increased bike uses generates bike facilities which increase property values.
  50. Bicycling gives you more fresh air than a sauna and you can still sweat and clean your pores
  51. Bike Commuting is a license to dress weird and still feel smug.
  52. Urban cycling keeps you humble.
  53. Bicycling can be enjoyed in a wide variety of topography.
  54. Cycling can be enjoyed in a wide variety of climates
  55. Bicycles are a great means to see the world.
  56. Bicycling is cool.
  57. Biking Is Fun.

How efficient is Bicycling?  Here is an egg-planation.

A bicyclist burns about 25 Calories per mile.  One large egg supplies 80 Calories.   A cyclist can travel about three miles on the energy of one egg.
0 (symbol for one egg)

A person walking would require three eggs to go the same distance.
000

A loaded bus requires the equivalent of two dozen eggs for each person it carries three miles.
000000000000000000000000

A train requires the equivalent of three dozen eggs for each person it carries three miles.
000000000000000000000000000000000000

A car that gets 12.5 miles per gallon requires the equivalent of seven dozen eggs to carry one person three miles.
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Even if you double the miles per gallon and double the occupancy a car will still use the equivalent of twenty-one eggs to make the trip -- more than twenty times a bicycle.
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Calories Burned Calculator
Estimate the calories you burned on your bike ride:
Pace:
Weight:
Time:
Biking can help achieve ideal blood pressure.

IBF's Bicycle Bibliography / Reading List

 

  
 

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The International Bicycle Fund is an independent, non-profit organization. Its primary purpose is to promote bicycle transportation. Most IBF projects and activities fall into one of  four categories: planning and engineering, safety education, economic development assistance and promoting international understanding. IBF's objective is to create a sustainable, people-friendly environment by creating opportunities of the highest practicable quality for bicycle transportation. IBF is funded by private donation. Contributions are always welcome and are U.S. tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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