Cycling
Why it is one of the best things for your health…
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MOVEMENT
WORKPLACE WELLBEING
CYCLING
Transport with numerous health benefits
Cycling is a fun and easy way to get more active, and can be enjoyed by everyone at all ages. It allows you to easily incorporate exercise into your daily routine because it is also a simple form of transport.
With more people opting for alternative methods of transport, cycling is also the perfect option to get plenty of vitamin D if you don’t like exercising indoors at the gym.
It’s also great for weight loss as brisk cycling burns around 500 calories per hour!
Cycling only helps you lose weight, but also maintain weight and it has various other benefits too:
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It can boost your mood
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Reduce your stress level
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Help minimise the risk of chronic illnesses
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Save you some money
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Help the environment
Another reason why I love cycling is because it is a low-impact type of exercise, so it’s easier on your joints than running or other high-impact aerobic activities.
As for exercise in general, it is recommended that you do at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, so with just a few leisurely rides or commutes this can be easily achieved!
To increase your weekly exercise, why don’t you cycle to work a few days a week, or do a couple of shorter rides during the week and add a longer ride at the weekend?
If you’re thinking about commuting by bike, you can plan your route to work using Google Maps or contact your local council for free cycling maps. You can also check online for an interactive cycle journey planner.
As much as cycling is fun, don’t forget to stay safe whilst on the road.
Here are a few simple safety tips that you can follow:
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Look behind you before you turn, overtake or stop
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Use arm signals before you turn right or left
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Obey traffic lights and road signs
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Don’t cycle next to another person on busy or narrow roads
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When overtaking parked cars, watch out for car doors opening suddenly and allow room to pass safely
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Don’t use headphones and mobile phones whilst cycling
If you’re new to cycling or are out of the habit, find a traffic-free area to practice, such as your local park. Try to ride single-handed so you can make hand signals, and get comfortable looking over both shoulders to improve your visual awareness. If you want to cycle with confidence, visit CyclingUk and Bikeability for information on training schemes.
Not got a bike?
Unless you’re aiming to become a pro, any good working bike will do – hybrids, road or mountain bikes are the most popular.
Go to any bike shop and talk to a specialist who can advise you on the correct frame size and help you choose the right bike to suit your budget and the type of cycling that you want to do.
Make use of cycling, a low impact form of exercise that you can use to commute and improve your health and wellbeing.
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