| Cycling Gains New Popularity | | | | cycling also has other benefits. One of the best ways |
| Cycling is gaining popularity in many parts of the | | | | to exercise, and among the most popular, cycling |
| country for good reason. Gas prices are going up and | | | | allows you the option of enjoying your surroundings |
| many people now bike short distances instead of | | | | while you exercise. Good for cardiovascular health as |
| driving to get around. They do this either to save | | | | well as helping with balance and coordination, cycling |
| money or to save the environment. Many people | | | | helps maintain a healthy weight. Thirty minutes of |
| already find cycling to be a fun way to get exercise. | | | | cycling per day cuts the risk of heart disease in half. |
| As gas prices go up, more and more people will | | | | In addition, cycling increases strength and improves |
| realize that they can help themselves and help the | | | | strength. As with any exercise, cycling promotes |
| earth at the same time if they switch to bicycling. | | | | good mental health as well by its effect of giving you |
| Cycling, far from being a past time of the poor, has | | | | an overall sense of well-being. |
| mostly been a past time of the well paid. One | | | | Important Things to Know |
| estimate of commuter cyclist's income showed an | | | | Setting your bike up for commuting or shopping is |
| average of $60,000 a year. Many cities across the | | | | different than setting it up for traveling or racing. You |
| country are now planning ahead for a potential future | | | | need sturdy tires that can handle all kinds of |
| energy crisis and are making themselves more cycle | | | | weather, especially if you live in any area other than |
| friendly. They are adding bike lanes, bike racks, bike | | | | the desert. You need some good bags to hold things |
| garages, and even bike dedicated streets. These | | | | or a bike trailer. You need lights in case you stay out |
| cities with foresight will be more ready in the event | | | | too late and it gets dark. Although many cities do not |
| that gas prices suddenly shoot up to the point where | | | | require helmets for adult bike riders, it is a good idea |
| many people can not afford to commute to work in | | | | to protect yourself with one. |
| a car. | | | | Some say that cycling is more dangerous than |
| In heavy commuter traffic, cyclists actually find | | | | driving, citing this as a reason that they choose to |
| themselves getting to their destinations faster than | | | | drive rather than cycle. But actually, as millions of |
| their car commuter brethren. In some areas it is not | | | | Americans have been discovering, cycling is a great |
| legal for a bike to pass on the right, so check the | | | | alternative to driving. In fact, figures suggest that |
| local bike laws before you take this speedy shortcut | | | | cycling is only fifty-five percent as dangerous per |
| through commuter traffic. | | | | hour as traveling in a car. Of course, wearing the right |
| Cycling and Exercise | | | | gear while cycling, as discussed above, is important. |
| Not only is it a great choice for transportation, but | | | | |