Cycling
Using a bicycle to get from A to B is the fastest way to get around without causing harm to the environment. Not only that but it’s free, it doesn’t need fuel and the bike goes as far and as fast as you can make it go! You can avoid traffic jams and stay safe on your journey using cycle ways and shared paths and it’s a great way to get fit.
Here are a few facts about cycling:
- Cycling builds physical strength and develops healthy bones and muscles
- Regular trips in the saddle will lower blood pressure and your risk of having a heart attack, stroke or developing diabetes and colon cancer
- A moderate cycle ride burns 400 calories per hour, making your regular cycle journeys a great way to control your weight
- It’s 4 x faster than walking for the same amount of energy
Still unsure if cycling is for you?
Buy the right bike – make sure you go to a good, well established bike shop where they will talk through the options when buying a bike. This way you get the right type of bike for your cycling needs.
Be safe and confident – make sure you dress in light coloured reflective clothing and wear a helmet if you want to feel that extra bit safer. Plan your route to use cycle lanes where you can and if you do cycle on the road give yourself plenty of space by riding a good metre away from the kerb
Flatten the hills – modern bikes have a good range of gears to tackle even the steepest of hills encountered on most UK roads and cycle routes. If the hills really are too much you could invest in an electric bike and get the bike to take the strain uphill, whilst you power the bike on the flat and downhill.
Bad weather – if it’s cold and wet, you don’t have to use your bike. It’s important to enjoy your bike journey so use another mode of transport on the days when you think the weather is bad.
Isn’t it quicker to drive? – not if your journey is three miles or less and you travel during the rush hour. Bikes can often zip through traffic congestion without the hold-ups a car would encounter and there are no parking problems when you arrive at your destination.
Am I fit enough to cycle? – the answer to this is probably ‘yes’. You don’t have to be super-fit to get started. Go at your own pace and gradually build up journey times and distances as your fitness increases.
Save money – use your bike for commuting to work you not only save the bus fare or petrol cost, but you also save your gym membership fee by exercising at the same time.
Useful Links:
Lancashire County Council - countywide cycling information: www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/cycling
Sustrans - cycling information and national cycle routes: www.sustrans.org.uk
CTC - cycling information, campaigning for cyclists, online shop and maps: www.ctc.org.uk
Cycling England – national body for cycling: http://www.cyclingengland.co.uk/
Bike For All – useful information and advice about cycling: http://www.bikeforall.net/
Visit Lancashire tourist information cycling pages: http://www.visitlancashire.com/site/country-escapes/cycling
Celebrating Cycling Lancaster and Morecambe http://www.celebratingcycling.org/
Cycle ways in Pendle http://www.pendle.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=626
If you like cycling you’ll probably be interested in walking.