The benefits of biking are vast. From improving fitness and saving money [this calculator adds up the savings] to decreasing congestion and reducing pollution, there are many reasons to ditch driving and ride a bike — even if it’s just a short ride to a friend’s house, to class or on greenway trails for exercise (instead of driving to the gym). Any mile not driven in a car and ridden on a bike will reap these benefits:
- A Dutch study found that biking boosts your immune system, meaning you’ll use less sick days.
- Cycling impacts your brain and gives you more energy.
- It burns a crazy amount of calories. Don’t believe us? Calculate how many calories you’d burn while biking
- Plus, you might live longer, have a healthier heart, sleep better and more — all because of pedaling more.
Want to learn more about biking as a form of alternative transportation? Check out this video on why biking matters and how it can improve your health, your wallet and our world. Special thanks to NC State student Erik Vosburgh, who shot and edited the video: