The Health Benefits of Riding a Bike
By Tegan Hailey
Special Event of the Week:
Ride2School Day – 22nd of March 2019
Ride2School is a nationwide program that enables students to be physically active on their journey to school. Did you know that only 2 out of 10 students are riding or walking to school everyday, in comparison to 8 out of 10 in the 70’s? The latest report states that there are not enough kids partaking in sports and using active transport. Over the last 40 years the number of children who are physically active everyday has dropped significantly! With the number of children living a sedentary lifestyle on the rise at an alarming rate, it is really important that we find ways to keep our kids active. New research has revealed that students who use active travel to get to school arrive awake and alert, improving their ability to concentrate in class and ability to understand what they are being taught. Ride2School is designed to support and encourage schools and their students to feel empowered to get physically active on their journey to and from school. Is your school involved? Ask your school today.
Check out their website for more information; https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/ride2school/
Topic of the Week:
Riding a bike & the health benefits
Riding a bike has been found be a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Not only is it fun, but it is also cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Riding a bike is a great way to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. Whether you ride to work, the shops or just on the weekends with the kids, regular bike riding not only improves your overall fitness but also helps reduce the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle (1).
Why riding a bike is good for everyone?
Low impact: Less likely to cause an injury compared to most other forms of exercise
Good muscle workout: Uses all of the major muscle groups as you pedal
Easy: It does not require high levels of physical skill (training wheels available for kids)
Builds strength and stamina: It’s a great cardio workout which increases your body’s efficiency to supply oxygen around the body
Variable intensities: Depending on what you want, it can range from a very low to a very high demanding physical workout
Enjoyable: Have fun while you get fit via social rides or by exploring new places
Time-efficient: As a mode of transport it is faster than walking, and even sometimes driving a car
(1)
The introduction of electrically assisted bicycles (e-bikes), have allowed many individuals to overcome some of the many reported barriers in bicycle commuting. With riding up steep hills being the most commonly reported barrier. These e-bikes allow for all fitness levels and ages to enjoy what riding a bike has to offer (2).
How does it affect my health?
As riding a bike is an aerobic activity, it means that our heart, blood vessels, lungs as well as our muscles all get a workout. Known health benefits if done regularly can include:
Increased cardiovascular fitness
Increased muscle strength and flexibility
Improved joint mobility
Improved posture and coordination
Strengthened bones
Decreased body fat levels
Prevention or management of disease
Decreased stress levels
Reduced anxiety and depression
(1)
Useful Resources:
Helmet and Bike Check
Check out the following images for a guide on how to fit a helmet and make sure your bike is ready for use.
Step 1
Bike Check
Step 2
Helmet Check
References:
Cycling - health benefits [Internet]. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. 2019 [cited 26 February 2019]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cycling-health-benefits
Bourne J, Sauchelli S, Perry R, Page A, Leary S, England C et al. Health benefits of electrically-assisted cycling: a systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity [Internet]. 2018;15(1). Available from: https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-018-0751-8