People are becoming more conscious about the effects that their actions have on the environment. Especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, they have become a little more sensitive toward their surroundings. A healthy environment means healthier humankind. Nature and surroundings have a direct effect on living beings. People living in places with cleaner air will have better respiratory health than someone living in a city such as Delhi. The environment provided a lot of assistance in fighting the deadly virus of Corona. A lot of herbs were used as immunity boosters and somewhere it made people more aware of the ill effects that any kind of disturbance in the environment has on the whole of humankind. If mankind wants to live blissfully, it has to make sure that the surrounding is clean and healthy too.
Many such reasons have led people to have a sustainable lifestyle. Many have adopted cycling for short distance travels such as for traveling to workplaces, gyms, universities, etc
Private vehicles are no longer as much associated with splendor as they were a few decades ago. A person cycling his or her way to work will be more appreciated than someone using a four-wheeler to travel alone to his/her office. The health benefits of cycling are just a cherry on top.
Why is cycling becoming so popular?
The pandemic saw an upsurge in the sale of bicycles
Due to the closure of gyms during the pandemic, many people turned to cycle to keep themselves fit. People were required to be at their healthiest to fight the virus. Those who had never worked out even once in their life started moving and doing all sorts of physical activities to keep their body and mind healthy. This consciousness led to an upsurge in the number of cyclists.
Apart from this, governments and doctors were advising and releasing guidelines for social distancing. Public transport completely shut down during the lockdown period. In the situation of complete closure of public transport, people used bicycles to go to grocery stores. Some continued the habit even after improvement in the conditions of the pandemic.
Read More – ” Ten Tips for a Healthier Life with a Busy Schedule “
Numerous health benefits
Cycling is one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise. People get to be outdoors and enjoy their ride while making their bodies fit. The best time to do cycling is probably early morning when the roads are comparatively hassle-free. It is a pleasurable experience, especially during the sunrise. It helps people free their minds from all sorts of clutter, stress, and worries.
Cycling has many health benefits such as:
Increases strength
Promotes cardiovascular health
Reduces anxiety and stress
Decreases body fat percentages
Helps to strengthen the bones
Increases flexibility
Cost efficient
Unlike gyms that charge a hefty amount of subscription and membership fees, a bicycle is a one-time investment. Once you buy a bicycle there isn’t any additional cost except for some maintenance once in a while which is also very affordable. Cycling your way to work, university, grocery store, etc instead of taking the bus or using a private vehicle, will save money on gas and fare. University students who are on a budget constraint are mostly seen using bicycles to go to college. It’s environment-friendly, good for health, and within budget.
A sense of community
Cycling clubs are becoming very popular in recent times. People who love cycling can join any nearby cycling club and enjoy various activities with a bunch of cyclers. It’s a great way to socialize and meet new people who are equally passionate about cycling. If someone wants to start their club they can do it without any financial investment, they just need to get a few cyclists on board, decide on a common meeting point and the word of mouth automatically does marketing the club. What could be better than that? Some clubs charge a small amount of money and some are free.
Cycling for passion
In recent times, cycling is gaining a lot of popularity as a sport. Many tournaments such as Tour de France, UCI Cycling World Championship, and World Track championship inspire people to pursue their passion and become a champion. Young people are especially passionate about sports and extracurriculars. They draw inspiration from the top cyclists in the world such as Eddy Merckx, Sean Kelly, Jaques Anquetil, and others.
Conclusion
Cycling is a great way to stay fit and reduce carbon footprints at the same time. Data suggest that traveling 1 km by a petrol car leaves carbon footprints of around 192 grams. In urban areas, the quality of air is diminishing day by day due to the greenhouse gases released by vehicles. Air pollution is highly responsible for chronic respiratory diseases such as Asthma, Lung cancer, and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Whether people cycle to stay fit or to keep the environment clean, they will get all the benefits either way. Many students, professors, and professionals are turning to a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable way of living. Cycling can be done when people want to have a good time with their friends or family, joining a cycling club is a very exciting experience. It helps to keep the mind and body fit. The rise seen in the number of bicycles bought in countries during the pandemic is remarkable. People are adopting sustainable lifestyles not by force but by choice.
