Cycling in India can be a challenge, with unruly traffic, pot-holed roads, and no lanes for bicyclists. Yet, the community is growing, with some using it as a fitness tool, a few to commute, and some as an adventure sport. Specialist biking stores have opened up; there are niche races and better cycling gear. All they ask is that you join the club, helmet firmly in place and if you wear arm and leg gears its well and good as additional protection from impending danger.
Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity, which means that your heart, blood vessels, and lungs all get a workout. You will breathe deeper, perspire and experience increased body temperature, which will improve your overall fitness level. The health benefits of regular cycling include good blood circulation, high stamina, and decreased body fat levels. To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Regular physical activity can help protect you from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, diabetes, and arthritis. Riding your bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. Riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day – for transport, recreation, and sport. Cycling is a good way to control or reduce weight, as it raises your metabolic rate, builds muscle and burns body fat. If you’re trying to lose weight, cycling must be combined with a healthy eating plan. Cycling is a comfortable form of exercise and you can change the time and intensity – it can be built up slowly and varied to suit you.
Cities are focusing on developing more lung spaces in the city. As part of smart city initiatives, smart components like cycling, street furniture, jogging track, space for hawkers, etc., will contribute a lost in enhancing the aesthetic of the city. The petrol cost is going high, cycling tracks should be provided to encourage the use of cycles as alternative transportation in a busy city. While some may argue that healthy living is possible even without hitting a gym, we need to dwell on the practicality of such arguments. Unlike the US, we do not have special cycling lanes; our offices are not equipped with lockers and shower-rooms that we can freshen up after walking or cycling our way to work. With fuel costs at an all-time high, this e-bicycle makes cycling less stressful, and more efficient, so you burn more calories than cash. These e-cycles are available all across India, but initially, we have stockists at Kochi, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. They will soon be available with e-commerce platforms. Goa and other seashore areas provide hiring cycle facility to encourage cycling activities to go round the city pedalling.
Cardiovascular diseases include stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack. Regular cycling stimulates and improves your heart, lungs, and circulation, reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Whether it’s to boost your fitness, health or bank balance, or as an environmental choice, taking up bicycle riding could be one of the best decisions you ever make.
Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels. Research also shows that people who cycle to work have two to three times less exposure to pollution than car commuters, so their lung function is improved. A Danish study conducted over 14 years with 30,000 people aged 20 to 93 years found that regular cycling protected people from heart disease.
Cycling is fun – and it’s a great family activity. But by making cycling part of your – and your children’s – routines you will be doing some great things for your bodies and giving you a sense of well being that you will never find in front of the TV. Cycling as a family is a fun way to spend your free time, and a great bonding experience. You will enjoy the excitement of discovering new routes together and the shared sense of achievement as your fitness improves and you become more confident, experienced cyclists and there lies the cycling success.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
