Posted by Jonathan B. Stout, M.D. in Primary Care
Apr 30, 2012
Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner. If you do not ride your bike much, now is a great time to dust it off and ride to work. May is National Bike Month, which is sponsored by The League of American Bicyclists.
Get out and enjoy “Bike to Work Week” May 14-18, then top off your week of riding with “Bike to Work Day” on Friday, May 18. Giving your car and the environment a break for one week are just a couple reasons to ride your bike to work. Riding your bike is also beneficial to your health.
Healthful reasons to ride your bike include:
- Provides cardiovascular exercise
- Reduces stress
- Increases aerobic fitness
- Tones your body
- Lowers your blood pressure
- Promotes joint health
Why I ride my bike to work
I became a full-time bike commuter when I moved to Eugene/ Springfield in 1989. My favorite work commutes have been those with relatively long stretches along the Willamette River. I like to say that traveling by bike is the answer to many of the most important issues of our day. Importantly, for me, it promotes health in all the ways exercise should. It also minimizes degradation of the environment and the nation’s dependence on foreign energy.
Bike safety
For those who try commuting by bike, be safe. Helmets and good brakes are a must. Choose a route that is attractive to you, and take advantage of the widely available bike lanes Eugene/Springfield provides. Additionally, take the opportunity to get to know the neighborhoods you ride through, while always being attentive for that 1 driver in 100 who may not be paying enough attention.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you might even consider taking part in our local Business Commute Challenge. I’ll certainly be riding on Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 18. Although riding a bike to work every day may not be for everyone for various reasons, we hope some of you will accept the challenge. Feel free to ask me questions about the health benefits of biking to work. I look forward to seeing you on the bike paths around town!
