| ng 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. In |
| As gas prices go up, more and more people will realize | | | | addition, cycling increases strength and improves |
| that they can help themselves and help the earth at | | | | strength. As with any exercise, cycling promotes good |
| the same time if they switch to bicycling. | | | | mental health as well by its effect of giving you an |
| Cycling, far from being a past time of the poor, has | | | | overall sense of well-being. |
| mostly been a past time of the well paid. One estimate | | | | Important Things to Know |
| 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 weather, |
| energy crisis and are making themselves more cycle | | | | especially if you live in any area other than the desert. |
| friendly. They are adding bike lanes, bike racks, bike | | | | You need some good bags to hold things or a bike |
| garages, and even bike dedicated streets. These cities | | | | trailer. You need lights in case you stay out too late |
| with foresight will be more ready in the event that gas | | | | and it gets dark. Although many cities do not require |
| prices suddenly shoot up to the point where many | | | | helmets for adult bike riders, it is a good idea to protect |
| people can not afford to commute to work in a car. | | | | yourself with one. |
| In heavy commuter traffic, cyclists actually find | | | | Some say that cycling is more dangerous than driving, |
| themselves getting to their destinations faster than | | | | citing this as a reason that they choose to drive rather |
| their car commuter brethren. In some areas it is not | | | | than cycle. But actually, as millions of Americans have |
| legal for a bike to pass on the right, so check the local | | | | been discovering, cycling is a great alternative to |
| bike laws before you take this speedy shortcut | | | | driving. In fact, figures suggest that cycling is only |
| through commuter traffic. | | | | fifty-five percent as dangerous per hour as traveling in |
| Cycling and Exercise | | | | a car. Of course, wearing the right gear while cycling, |
| Not only is it a great choice for transportation, but | | | | as discussed above, is important. |