Top Reasons to Bike to Work
Need a new exercise routine? Want to save money? Wish you could reduce your carbon footprint? Biking to work or to run errands is a great way to achieve all of these goals.
Here are some of the many benefits of using your bike as a means of transportation.
Biking saves money
Not only are bikes much cheaper to purchase and maintain than cars, but commuting by bike can save you a considerable amount of money on gas. Consider someone who works 3 miles from their office. If they commute by bike, they would bike 6 miles/day for a total of 30 miles per week. That’s about 1.5 gallons of gas per week, which equals about $6 (assuming the current $4/gallon cost). Over the course of 1 month, that’s $24, and one year, that $288 saved just by biking. Add in tolls and parking costs, and it could be a whole lot more.
Calculate Your Calories Burned Biking
Biking improves your health and helps you maintain or lose weight
Getting in the habit of biking to work is a great way to improve your health. Again consider someone who has a 3 mile commute. That’s 6 miles/day or 30 miles per week. For a 150 pound person biking fairly leisurely pace (10-12 miles per hour), that’s approximately 2,000 calories per week. Not to mention the added benefits of increased energy and metabolism, stress reduction, and increased fitness.
Biking reduces pollution
Cars are the primary form of transportation in the United States and are a major contributor to air pollution. It’s not just gas emissions that contribute to pollution, but also the manufacturing and disposal of cars. Biking or walking, instead of driving, can reduce pollution caused by cars.
For more information on the Ingredients of Air Pollution, click here.
To calculate the levels harmful emissions you could save by biking, click here.
Biking saves time
Biking to work can be faster than driving, especially when traffic congestion is considered. In addition, it kills two birds with one stone: time in the car is replaced with time exercising, decreasing the need for dedicated “exercise” or gym time. You save time and will have increased energy that comes along with exercise.
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