There are many great reasons to bike to work. Leave your car parked and pull out your bike instead.
Biking has been one of the fastest growing ways to exercise and commute over the past decade. Despite a slight decline in popularity in 2015, the activity has seen a steady increase in popularity since 2005. The reasons why it’s become so popular vary: an increase in an environmentally-conscious population; a strong push by the government to get people moving and combat the obesity epidemic; people trying to avoid rising gas prices; and the increase in traffic congestion across major American cities. However, reasons to bike to work extend past saving money and political movements. Here are some great reasons to leave your gas-guzzler parked in the garage and pull out that rusty peddler.
1. Great Exercise – Little Time
This is an obvious one, but still deserves the mention. Of course, exercising is one of the top reasons to bike to work. However, it gives you a little more than physical activity. How often do tell yourself that you’ll get to the gym or go for a walk, but then not find the time? With biking to work, you can solve two problems with one solution – finding the time to work out and work.
2. It Saves You Money
According to AAA, the average cost of owning a car – from gas prices to maintenance and payments – was just over $8,500. Conversely, the cost of biking to work was around $300. If that doesn’t convince you to start your commute, nothing will.
Unfortunately, for some pe, ple it may be logistically impossible to commute everyday – like parents who pick their kids up. However, there may be an answer – biking to run errands will also help you cut down on commuting costs. Need to run to the store for a few items? Grab the bike instead of getting in the car. Don’t have kids to pick up after work? Choose to bike on that day. Even if you can’t bike every day, you can find times where it is convenient and possible.
3. You’ll Start Your Day Out Right
Many studies indicate that morning time is the best time to exercise. However, if you’re just not a morning person, then getting up extra early to put in a workout just may not sound pleasing. With incorporating biking to work as part of your daily commute – or even just once or twice a week – you can beat that AM snooze button. You’ll get to work refreshed and ready to start the day. Skip the coffee. Grab your bike instead to start your day out right.
4. Say Goodbye To The Gym Membership
Getting on a bike is a free – well, minus the initial cost of the bike – way to workout. Not only is it low-impact with a low risk of injury, but you’ll be able to maintain your fitness level or even increase it while getting to work. Furthermore, you’ll save the extra cash from your gym membership. Ka-ching!
5. Avoid The Traffic
To anyone who lives in a large city, you know the pains of traffic. Whether it’s from construction, weather, or accidents, traffic jams are frustrating and time-sucking. How do you avoid it? The answer isn’t taking a different route to work, unless that route is for bikes. With biking to work, you’ll avoid all traffic, which means saving on time, energy, and frustration.
Reasons To Bike To With OSR
Even though biking is low injury-risk, you still may find yourself in pain when you finally make the commitment. At OSR, we can help you avoid injury and recover from pain with a custom bike fit and program. Contact one of our offices today to find out more.
