Cycling reduces the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and the most common form of diabetes. One rough calculation suggests that new cyclists covering short distances can reduce their risk of death (mainly due to the reduction of heart disease) by as much as 22 per cent.
Cycling can be part of a programme to lose weight because it burns the energy supplied by a chocolate bar or a couple of alcoholic drinks in an hour (about 300 calories). A 15-minute bike ride to and from work five times a week burns off the equivalent of 11 pounds of fat in a year.
People commuting in vehicles breathe in 25% more pollution than those walking or cycling. This can cause headaches, eye pain, asthma and respiratory complaints. When cycling it is often easy to find pleasant, traffic free routes giving you a great way to start and end your working day. Every time you exercise, especially outdoors, you boost your immune system, helping you to fight off illness.
When you exercise, there is a change of serotonin system in the brain that could be affected and improve symptoms of depression.
It is generally considered that a distance of 1 to 2 miles is an acceptable walking distance for the average adult and that a distance of 3 miles is an acceptable cycling distance.
Is your business meeting within walking/cycling distance?