LONG, HEALTHY AND HAPPY LIFE IS JUST ON THE CORNER

 

“A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke”

-Scott Stoll, a Community Professor who travelled around the world on his bicycle

 

 

 

Do you know how much this world is beautiful? It is not something we can see only when we go to the holiday or when we are accidentally somewhere where the beauty is screaming at us. How about enjoying it every day, all life long? Many will argue that there is no time for such practice in busy daily life but is that really a truth or just an excuse for our laziness and lack of will to really change something? I guess both.

One of the best possibilities to grab the good mood, being empowered with positive vibes and energy for usual challenges is to join the ride. Yes, cycling is a new lifestyle, especially if we include cycling to work. This activity is a game changer and motivational workout packed in perfect design of available and ecologically friendly transport.

 

The cycling is on the rise in the last 5 years, as well as the awareness of people about negative impact of cars on the environment. It is a fact that not everyone is able to go to work by bike because many people have remoted workplaces but there are still those who can practice cycling, only if they want. It could be once or twice a week, but it makes big influence on the ecosystem, in local and global perspective, and it improves our own health and wellbeing.

The scientists from New Zealand have studied cycling and all its benefits, and they concluded that cyclists experienced about 13 % of reduction in early death rates, compared to all of others who drove to work, walk or use public transport. Nevertheless, only 3% of New Zealanders use bike as a transport option while in the USA is even worse, with 0,6%. The main reason for this statistic is the infrastructure that is not so cycling friendly.

On the other side of the world, Canadian researchers bring up 5 main health benefits of cycling to work and first among them targets our budget:”You’re paying a premium for the privilege of sitting in traffic during your commute. Let’s say your mid-sized car uses 8L of gas for 100 km. If you drive 10 km to work one way, that’s about 416L a year, just to commute. At $1.17 per litre, it will cost you about $486 a year. And that doesn’t count wear and tear, depreciation, parking or insurance. Compare that to the cost of an annual bike tune-up, which can be less than $100.” Then, there is a reducing of cancer and diabetes risks, as well as preventing severe heart diseases. But, not only that since your activity is helping 9our nature and recovery of endangered environmental surfaces:” All that driving isn’t just bad for you, it’s also a major source of carbon emissions. In Canada in 2017, passenger cars and light trucks gave off 85,1 megatons of  greenhouse gases. That was nearly 12% of all the emissions in Canada that year. The average 50-minute roundtrip Canadian commute adds to that figure. Switching to a green commute, like cycling, shrinks your carbon footprint and keeps the environment cleaner for everyone.”

 

 

So, this is a multidimensional hobby. It helps you to get at work, removing bad energy before stepping into daily rhythm and above all, keep you fit and far away from depression. We should never forget the balance we always find in the touch with nature. It is like we are born again and if you imagine that early in the morning or any time before work, it is a gift you owe to yourself, your health and your Planet. The powerful tool against routine, laziness, tiredness and lethargy. Something it shouldn’t be only reserved for weekends but for many days as possible. Why? Because you need that little portion of happiness every day, all over again.

To be able to enjoy and use maximum of cycling benefits, you can try to find your own bike that will give you the feedback you expect. Not every bike is our friend, it must be harmony. I tried many and finally found the one that is not the most expensive, the most beautiful but its mine and we can discover the world together. I like mountain bikes but there are many people who like city bikes and find them very practical and nice. Since I am more in deep wood as on the street, I put my trust in mountain bike. This year, I decided to upgrade on the e-bike level because of the ability to ride long distance with hills landscape. If you are more in flat region and in the urban area, you can be also happy with city or tour bike, with or without motor support. The good thing about e-bikes is that you can chose the complete motor background, partial or zero. It is a hybrid machine that is always there for us.

If your company is contributing to wellness program, maybe you can check if they would support you through the official job bike possibility. Many of them are organizing it so please ask you HR for a detailed advice. It may help you to buy an amazing bike with one friendly financial plan and sometimes with 0% of interest rate. I also have read in one article from 2017, that U.S. riders who bike to work at least three days a week receive a $20 tax-free reimbursement each month. It is not much but it could help your bike repairs.

In this age of greed and madness, would also suggest you to insure your bike. This is not expensive but keep you sane, if anything goes wrong. There are some insurance companies that make combined and favored insurance for both, car and bike.

Believe me, no matter what, this is your right way, not only to your workplace but everywhere. Dare to feel that freedom and keep it within you, as the source of strength, happiness and motivation. Challenge your limits.