Spring is springing! What better time to venture outdoors with your family and enjoy some fresh air and fun! Biking can provide the perfect “vehicle,” so to speak, combining adventure, activity and a chance to relish the scenery. And as if the thrill of warm spring sunshine and the wind in your hair weren’t enough, biking also provides a basketful of physical and cognitive benefits, too!
Did you know that biking helps with disease prevention? According to BikeRadar.com, “Studies from Purdue University have shown that regular cycling can cut your risk of heart disease by 50 percent.” The article goes on to say that moderate to frequent exercise, including cycling, may even help prevent cancer. But there’s more! Other benefits of biking include:
Biking has even been shown to boost brainpower. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research showed that people scored higher on tests of memory, reasoning and planning after 30 minutes of spinning on a stationary bike than they did before they rode. They also completed the tests faster after pedaling.
Perhaps best of all, biking is a wonderful way for the whole family to spend time together. Little ones can ride along with mom or dad on a child bike seat, and older kids can ride their own bikes, either with or without training wheels. Because it’s a low-impact sport, even grandparents can join in the fun! Just make sure the whole gang straps on helmets and kneepads for protection against any spills or tumbles, and use sunblock to protect your skin against UV rays.
Resources:
Bicycling: How Cycling Makes You Smarter and Happier
Bicycling: Five Ways Cycling Makes You Happier, Smarter, and Sexier
Bike Radar: 30 Reasons to Take Up Cycling
OneTen Cycles: Family Bike Rides
National Bike to Work Day is May 20!
In support of our mission of reducing chemicals and plastics in the environment, Norwex Movement wishes you a happy National Bike to Work Day!
Sad to say it is not safe to ride by our house, but when we want to ride we have to load the bikes up and drive somewhere. That being said, I do still have a bike and my husband is now wanting to get one, so we are planning to start riding on a regular basis. I love riding bike…used to do it all the time.
We do not have to load our bikes and we still don’t ride our bikes enough. Love this post. Thanks for sharing!
We frequently bike as a family, I love teaching my kids healthy habits!
Just had a visit from my son, daughter in law and two grandsons and we had a lovely time biking together as a family. Fun for all ages,never us oldies!
Got me and my girls a bike this year and have slowly been working my distance up.
I work from home so I no longer have a commute to work and keep my driving down to a minimum. Now I need to get a bike to get out and exercise.
I used to enjoy riding a bike, but my knee hurt too much now.
Something I’d like to try and do more of, is definitely family bike rides!
I used to ride my bike to work every day when I worked at Disneyland, haha. Its a great way to get around, stay in shsape ans go green!
We love biking! It’s our favorite outing. The wind in your face, sunshine and beautiful scenery is fabulous! We see lots of wildlife and thoroughly enjoy the day. The fact that it keeps you healthy is a plus to the wonderful times spent outdoors!