After 100+ km, I finally reached Novi Sad, my new home. I had luck: it was a sunny and dry September day. It took me only 7 hours, with a few snack breaks. I arrived while the sun was still high in the sky. It helped me find my friend’s flat easily. As you know, the dark is different than the light. And it doesn’t like drifters.
Anyway, the main parts of my personal belongings were (almost) neatly packed, including this laptop I am writing on at the moment.
Considering my lifestyle, it is not that unusual that I went on this trip by bicycle. The journey I’ve been planning for a long time has finally been accomplished.
And, yes, I spent only $2 along the way.
But the story begins much earlier.
I was born a long time ago. There were far fewer cars (and noise) in the 1970s than there are buzzing around now. My father bought me a bicycle when I was five years old and I never stopped using it.
Even when I had a car, I was constantly weighing the costs and benefits of a bike and a car.
The result? I don’t have a car anymore. I gave it to my brother and started a new chapter in my life.
What I have learned in the meantime, and how cycling has changed my life, I described below.
Key benefits of everyday cycling
There is no need to emphasize the importance of daily physical activities that are useful in our intentions to reduce the risk of health problems associated with a sedentary (and overall unhealthy) lifestyle.
Prevention is still more important than treatment. Many of us know how difficult (and expensive) it is to fight diseases such as cardiovascular sicknesses, obesity, mental illnesses, chronic stress, diabetes, arthritis, cancer…
And they could be deadly, too.
Among the many healthy physical activities, riding a bike is one of the most popular.
Within the numerous advantages of using (read: actively riding) a bicycle in everyday life, I would single out key ones that are physically and mentally most important for all those who want to acquire this habit, as well as for those who already practice it and wish to learn more about its benefits.
1. Prevention of heart and lung diseases
Regular cycling strengthens the heart muscle and stimulates blood circulation in the lungs and heart, reducing the risk of cardiovascular and related diseases.
It may sound illogical at first, but: “Those who travel by car can experience five times higher pollution levels than those who cycle, and three and a half times more than those walking, according to an experiment by academics and campaigners.” (Bountiful) Source: Cycling Weekly
2. Detoxification and cleansing of the body
Since the lymphatic (drainage) system of the human body does not have a pump (such as the heart in the cardiovascular system), muscle contraction stimulates the flow of waste metabolic products, which are then excreted more quickly. Thus, the body is better cleansed of toxins and waste metabolic substances that can cause many health problems.
Consuming plenty of water during physical activities (according to physiological needs) also contributes to the cleaning process of the human body, as well as better muscle tone and brain function.
3. Improvement of muscle tone and joint mobility
Cycling increases muscle strength (it moves all the major muscle groups, not only the legs), enhances joint mobility (by stimulating the secretion of joint lubricating fluid and strengthening the muscle tendons), and improves body endurance, flexibility, posture, and coordination.
All these benefits lead to less strain and fewer injuries, compared to some other forms of exercise.
4. Fighting obesity
Along with a healthy diet, cycling contributes to weight loss by increasing the metabolic rate, building muscles, and burning calories. But, like with any other health issue, prevention should be first on a daily menu of activities
The average person will burn between 450 and 750 calories per hour of cycling, making this a significant contributor to fit-form gain.
However, the numbers are less important than the consistency. Everyday cycling, regardless of purpose, is eligible enough to improve health state, including weight loss.
So just keep pedaling. And don’t look back.
5. Cycling and cancer
Cycling isn’t another magic wand but has the potential to improve health conditions, thus contributing to cancer prevention.
Since the whole body is a system of multiple interrelated elements, any good change in habits and behavior affects the whole organism.
The causes of cancer are numerous, but inactivity, an unhealthy diet, and stress are the worst. Cycling acts as a serious player here, slashing those causes ruthlessly and improving overall health.
6. Cycling and mental health
If you ask me, one of the most important benefits of everyday cycling is its power to enhance mental health.
Many life experiences, along with numerous studies, have confirmed the importance of continuous and consistent physical activity for mental health.
Depression, stress, and anxiety can be reduced by regular bike riding. Better blood circulation in the body, more energy in the long run, increased secretion of dopamine and serotonin (my favorite part), and hormones responsible for a jolly mood are only a few of the key mental benefits of cycling.
Cycling helped me beat depression. It was a long time ago. I never found out the cause, but I will never forget this difficult stage in my life. Not knowing exactly what to do, I rode my bike every day during that period (like before or after) and realized that this habit was my most important weapon in this fight.
Also, cycling contributes to healthier sleeping patterns and, speaking of which, – a more fruitful sex life.
7. Less dependence on traffic jams
It is easy to get anywhere by bike in a relatively short time. With good organization, many locations are effortlessly accessible. Of course, it depends on the size and configuration of the terrain of the settlement and its near and far surroundings.
Exploring new pathways, breaking easily through traffic jams, soaking up the sun, and meeting new people, including spicy senoritas (as Aaron Marino would say), can really replenish the day and enrich life.
Cycling fits simply into our daily routine, whether it is ecstatic commuting, regular desolation of the shops, visiting a bored friend, or just getting out of the agonizing but melodious noise and desperately silent crowds.
8. Improving the social life
Fastened in cars, we are too far away from people who pass by us every day (and we are also prone to excessive honking). Alienation is detrimental to health as much as cigarettes or any other severe health risk factor.
Metal-plastic boxes on wheels have their purpose, of course, if used wisely and sparingly. But that’s not the case in today’s “not-that-much-frugal wanderlust.”
Cycling, as a sociable activity, opens new horizons and connects people and nature.
The friendships I have gained in this way are deep and long-lasting. Experience tells me that these people are kind, funny, helpful, creative, healthy, fit, and truly enjoy life and their habits.
Cycling associations are esteemed hubs of help, support, and cooperation that generate constructive examples of progressive collaborations all humanity should follow.
9. Money savings
Yes, I almost forgot. Money is important too, isn’t it?
How much money can a cyclist save by not consuming fossil fuels? No one knows precisely.
But there is a simple calculation. If the average driver in the USA, for instance, drives 29 miles a day by car at a fuel price of $1 per liter with an average consumption of 15 liters of fuel per 100 miles, it turns out that he or she spends $4.35 a day.
Cyclists’ fuel?
Well, they eat something from time to time, anyway.
I still have no clue how much money I have saved by now. But since I haven’t been young for a long time, it could be a considerable sum. A rough calculation may aid a bit:
$4.35 per day (from above) x 365 days x (circa) 40 years = $63,510
And, as for me, I ride a bicycle in all weather conditions.
All the time spent in traffic jams and searching for parking spaces or the time lost in the hidden “holes” of public transport and for repairs is much greater compared to the time required for cycling. And time is still money for us humans, isn’t it?
Saving money here also means money that would be spent on health treatments and unhealthy habits. The pedaling way of life has the power to prevent that, too.
But it’s not all about money. No one would spare anything without proper mental and financial discipline. Cycling and related activities are impactful enough to create useful practices and amend bad habits. And those who have healthier habits, including cyclists, are quietly improving the world forever. This cannot be expressed in money.
10. Helping sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint
And finally, for all those who live on this planet and don’t plan to move anywhere else in the adjacent universe soon, the last but not the least section proudly belongs to the overall health of our planetary home.
Although the bicycle manufacturing industry produces many types of waste, the daily use of the human body as a motor instead of an internal combustion engine can sizably contribute to the reduction of our carbon footprint.
A few facts below still stand firmly.
“Carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas that drives global climate change, is at a record high and continues to rise every month,” National Geographic says.
A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
It is difficult to comprehend the full extent of climate change’s consequences. In short, every destructive human-made impact alters complete ecosystems, endangering life on Earth.
What’s worse: “Air pollution is directly responsible for the deaths of over 7 million people each year, and approximately 90% of the world’s population is exposed to air pollution at some point.”
How my cycling habit changed my life forever
Within the whole empire of my specific lifestyle, the bike and all the benefits it provides have affected my life the most.
- I met many good people, which I would never have met in another way.
- I saved a hefty sum of money, although I never counted it, nor was it my priority. But it has certainly contributed to the development of my austerity measures.
- With a healthy amount of fatigue and amplified belief in the importance of my life – I sleep better.
- I cleaned a lot of trash from roads, making traffic safer on those roads.
- I took a lot of inspiring images during my trips, and to brag a bit – I inspired many of those who know me to look at life more lively.
- I experience distances differently, and with proper organization, I can reach any spot on the globe.
- I create time to observe people more mindfully – I can see their faces clearly, their genuine happiness, their understandable grief, and their profound hopes.
- I decreased my ecological footprint, contributing to our planet’s sustainability.
- I observe the whole world differently and experience a true sense of freedom!
- All of the things listed above made me a better person, able to help others.
I once gathered a cycling group of like-minded people in my town. We exchanged experiences, eked out advanced ideas, spent quality time together, and most importantly – we instilled in each other the joy of life.
Although we don’t see each other that often anymore, they remain forever a part of my life that I am proud of.
Final thoughts
The story from the beginning of the post makes sense if we look at every trip like this as a new investment—in social life, new friendships, mental discipline, sustainability, and the future.
When I arrived in Novi Sad, I noticed another phenomenon: the elderly and young, females and males, slow or fast ones – rode bicycles. It infused hope in me, and I found one more sense of belonging, including a fresh incentive for new ventures.
All these benefits described above could be applied to many other sports and physical activities, but in the cycling realm, they are vigorous enough to build an entire life from the deep roots to a lush canopy called – health.