Why we should bike to work
Do you remember the first time as a child you rode your bike successfully without the training wheels?! I do! I remember my mom pushing the back of my seat to get me started. After several failed attempts, I was off on my own…well…until I looked back and realized that she was no longer pushing, then I fell! But, that was my first 30 feet of freedom and I’ll never forget it.
How about you? You probably have a similar memory. So, here’s the next question: when did you stop riding your bike? For most of us, it’s when we got that learner’s permit and hopped in the car, foregoing our 2-wheeled friend. And fast forward to now. Do you still feel that freedom in your car or is it like a prison? We sit in traffic, at repair shops, or at the gas pump. Does it still feel free? Probably not. Although cars and trucks are our main mode of transportation these days, most of the time it’s not enjoyable. I want to make an argument today for possibly giving biking a second look. There are several benefits not only to you but also your community as a whole.
There was a study earlier this year in the British Medical Journal of over 250,000 people with an average age around 53 years old. It specifically looked at folks who drove or took public transportation to work vs. those who walked vs. those who rode a bike. The researchers kept up with these commuters for five years, looking at the incidences of heart disease, cancers, and death – this included any risk associated with road accidents. With that many folks in the study, they were able to easily conclude that cycling to work was associated with a 41% lower risk of death overall compared to commuting by car or public transportation. Cycling commuters also had a 46% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 52% lower risk of dying from it. These cyclists also had a 45% lower risk of developing any kind of cancer and a 40% lower risk of dying from cancer. This is a big deal! And this is just one study (granted it’s a big one), but there are also studies out there showing, for example, the mood, memory and concentration benefits of cycling.
So, why don’t we bike to work? One reason is we inherently don’t like change. We’d have to learn something new. But it’s not really new…remember that first glimpse of freedom we talked about earlier? Your body will adjust. Don’t let the change of it be an obstacle for you. I guarantee your local bike shop employees or cycling club will be there to help you and support you in your exciting new endeavor.
Speaking of, I talked with Landon Voller, current president of Starkville Cycling Club, about his thoughts on the benefits of cycling to work as well as things that can be done to make cycling more approachable for more folks. Here’s what he said:
“Cycling is a fantastic way to exercise and can be a lifelong activity. Riding bikes is a great way to meet many people from different walks of life. Commuting to work or around town is a great way to save gas and get in shape. It is also just one less car on the road contributing to traffic. It is also a unique way of experiencing the place where we live.
We should continue to promote share the road policies. More cyclists usually means safer roads, because drivers know to look for slow traffic. [We should] teach cyclists to use proper blinking lights and other safety practices. Also, encouraging the local road departments to continue to implement traffic striping that raises awareness, such as the new ‘Sharrows’ on MSU’s campus, will help make cycling more approachable.”
So…cycling to work, including any potential risk of an accident, has a lower risk for overall health than driving a car…and the more riders we get out there, the safer the roads become. Where do we go from here? I’d say take the plunge and visit your local bike shop! I guarantee they have what you need to get started and between them, a local cycling club, and any cycling friends you already have, you’ll find a community of folks who want to help you along your road to better health!.
Dr. Thomas is a board-certified physician who operates Complete Health Integrative Wellness Clinic and Thomas Urology Clinic in Starkville, Mississippi. Is this column helpful or are you looking for more information? We’d love to hear from you. Go to www. CompleteHealthIWC.com
This newspaper column is for informational purposes only and is, under no circumstances, intended to constitute medical advice or to create or continue a physician-patient relationship. If you have a medical emergency, you should immediately seek care from your nearest emergency room, and if you have specific health questions, you should consult your own physician.