Two articles this week deviate from the "high cost of gas" story lead, emphasizing the fitness and health benefits of bike commuting. From Philly.com (Philadephia Daily News), 05.21.07:Sneak in Some Extra Exercise and Save the Planet by Biking to WorkThe article goes on to outline additional great and persuasive reasons to bike commute.
The physiological benefits of cycling are many. The cardiovascular exercise provided by bicycling can increase your metabolism, burn calories, strengthen your heart, reduce fat, lower your health care costs, improve your quality of life, and decrease your level of stress. (Plus, who doesn't want those sculpted leg muscles that professional cyclists have?)
"Fitness is a great reason to ride, and commuting to work is a great way to start," says Elizabeth Preston of the League of American Bicyclists. "After all, you have to get to work and get home!" (Read more.)
From a personal trainer writing for the Statesman Journal (Salem, OR), 05.21.07:
Cycling is fun and good for youThe author goes on to offer advice about buying a bike, riding safe, and burning fat from thighs.
Question: I used to cycle outdoors for fun and recreation. Is it good exercise and what are some ways I can train for cycling?
Answer: Bicycling is one the best ways to of exercise and get around. With May being Bike Month, there is no better time to get your bike out and hit the road. In fact, last week was National Bike to Work Week. (Read more.)
Image: Web capture. Bike lanes--and traffic-calming bulb-outs!--in Philadelphia
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips
Transportation Alternatives’ Tour de Brooklyn!
ReplyDeleteWhen: Sunday June 3rd, Registration 8 am – Rain or Shine
Where: Start/ Finish Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park
What: Bicycle tour featuring historic Brooklyn neighborhoods, parks and waterfronts.
Who: cyclists of all ages and skill levels
Info: www.tourdebrooklyn.org, call 212-629-8080
Cost: Free but on-line registration required
Bike Brooklyn’s Best 3rd Annual Tour de Brooklyn
This year’s tour gets underway at Grand Army Plaza, a National Historic Landmark at Prospect Park. This year’s 18 mile tour will feature Brooklyn’s southern neighborhoods along the waterfront like Sunset, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst and loops towards the heart of Brooklyn, Kensington and Prospect Park South to end at the Carousel.
If this is your first time to Brooklyn by bike don’t worry you can join our feeder ride, leaving from Cadman Plaza near Brooklyn Bridge. Ride will depart promptly at 7:45 am, arriving at Prospect Park 8:05 am. Safety Marshals will be provided to guide you to the GAP.
This is a family friendly ride at a leisurely pace, escorted by the police and safety marshals. There will be one rest stop along the way where you can take a break, stretch your legs and snack on some food.
Bicycling in New York City has grown by leaps and bounds, there are over 120,000 daily cyclists today, up just 75,000 1992. There are over 36,000 daily cyclists in Brooklyn alone, plus thousands more who bike for fun on the weekends. Transportation Alternatives has been instrumental in winning new bike lanes, improved bridge access, and safe parking for NYC cyclists.
Bicycling in New York City has grown by leaps and bounds, there are over 120,000 daily cyclists today, up just 75,000 1992. There are over 36,000 daily cyclists in Brooklyn alone, plus thousands more who bike for fun on the weekends. Transportation Alternatives has been instrumental in winning new bike lanes, improved bridge access, and safe parking for NYC cyclists.
Transportation Alternatives – 127 W. 26th Street, New York, NY 10001 – (212) 629-8080