6. Sports benefits

Those who ride their bikes regularly not only increase their strength and build muscles, but they lower their risk of injury in other sports as well. Recovering from injury often takes less time with those who are in better shape. Cycling can help you build up your aerobic efficiency, aerobic capacity and improve endurance. Reflexes and balance will also improve over time. As with many sports, routine cycling allows you to tailor your intensity, get in a training rhythm, build mental fortitude and become faster overall. Another benefit is cycling can be done in any season.

5. Transportation benefits

Cycling is an eco-friendly transportation option that gets cars off the road. Those who ride their bikes are more likely to learn and know their local roads, figure out ways to avoid traffic and improve their overall navigational skills. Riding a bike gives you access to bike paths and other routes you might otherwise miss. Cycling is a simple way to get around town, commute and explore new places. Even if you can’t ride your bike all the way to work, many buses and trains have places where cyclists can store their bikes in between stops. This way you can ride your bike, and use public transportation when needed, to commute.

4. Social benefits

Bike riding is a great way for a family, or a group of friends, to spend quality time together. You can meet new, similar-minded, friends when you go cycling. If you feel like it, you can join a cycling club in your area. You can ride social or competitively. You can teach others how to cycle, what routes to take, which gears are best for certain paths and more. Cycling creates lasting memories, particularly when done with friends and family. You can riding your bike on behalf of a charity or even to help support a cause you believe in.

3. Economic benefits

It is cheaper to own and operate a bicycle than it is to have a car. Bicycles don’t usually require monthly car payments, insurance, expensive routine maintenance or fuel. If you don’t own your own bike, you can rent one or bike share as the need arises. You don’t need a parking spot or garage when you have a bicycle instead of a vehicle. Riding your bike can also help you get where you want to go faster. Cyclists don’t have to contend with traffic. Other benefits include lower healthcare costs (as you’ll be healthier from cycling) and you’ll have no need for a gym membership anymore. Road wear and tear can be reduced with more and more people switching to cycling.

2. Environmental benefits

The more cars we can get off the road, the better it will be for the environment. Cycling requires no gasoline and, therefore, no harmful vehicle emissions or smog are released into the air when a person is riding his or her bicycle. Opting to use your bicycle a few times a week, instead of your car, is one of the simplest ways to lower your environmental footprint. Idling isn’t an issue when you are cycling. Noise pollution is reduced as well. Bicycles require no gasoline, no antifreeze and don’t need many of the other fluids vehicles need to operate. This helps ensure such fluids don’t make their way into local waterways or the environment itself.