Benefits of Bike Sharing
What are some of the things that cities all around the world must deal with? Busy roads, higher vehicle emissions, and more. The number of cars on a street at any given time can mean that a person must leave their home an hour before work to get there on time when they only live a few miles from work. Over time, cities have tried many different ideas to help residents. Public transportation and carpooling have had the biggest impact. However, now we also have a new option in many larger cities. It is known as bike sharing and so far, it has proven that there are many benefits of bike sharing programs.
Less Congestion on City Streets
Think about a big city during rush hour. Two to four or more lanes of traffic, bumper to bumper, stopping and starting, crawling along at five miles per hour, road rage at other drivers because they cut you off. The horror stories are unending, and it happens in cities from coast to coast. With a bike share program in place, people who live in the city can pedal their way through town using bike lanes and avoid the stress that comes with driving.
Shorter Commute Times
In Washington DC most people can feasibly commute to work in about 34.3 minutes, which means they spend approximately 75 hours per year in their vehicle just going to work and coming home during rush hour. In Houston Texas, the average commute is 28.9 minutes, but people still spend approximately 74 hours in traffic each year. This is because 91% of people who live there drive their own personal vehicle to and from work rather than use public transportation. A bicycle may be a little slower, but you may also cut miles off your commute by cutting through side streets and other areas that you normally wouldn’t take your vehicle. You will also spend the time that you would normally be sitting, with a healthy activity.
Healthy Alternative
Most people in today’s world do not get their daily exercise. Bicycling is a healthy alternative to riding in a vehicle. It is a low impact cardio workout that increases all the major muscle groups in your body at one time. By having different gears, you make it as easy or as hard as you want. When you ride a bike, your heart health will improve, you will gain muscle strength and flexibility, improve your posture, decrease your body’s fat level, and more. As an added bonus, if you pedal at a moderate speed and weigh 185lbs, you will burn up to 650 calories in only an hour of bike riding. If you commute 30 minutes one way, there are 650 calories burnt at in a day.
Experience the Fun
Remember when you were a kid riding your bike to your friend’s house? The feeling you had when you coasted down a hill or in simply feeling the wind and the sun on your face? Cycling has proven effective in lowering stress, reducing anxiety, and banishing depression. Do you see any downside to that? It will help you more than any stress-filled traffic jam ever could!
Bike share programs are popping up in cities all around the world. It has proven to cut down on vehicle emissions and in general, makes people feel great when they start their day. To take advantage of the many benefits, you simply have to find a bike share station, rent your bike, and enjoy riding to the nearest station where you want to go. In the downtown Altlanta area, you can purchase memberships, buy one-way tickets, and round trip. Vacationers love it because they can see more, the residents love it because they can avoid the headaches of a traffic jam. What will you discover you enjoy about it?
Riding a bike is a great way for you to get out of the house and stay more active. It is an activity that even young children are encouraged to take part in. It is also an excellent mode of transportation when you do not have a vehicle that you can ride within easy access. Although bike riding is, for the most part, safe; you are still encouraged to wear rider protective gear.
It is recommended that you wear a bicycle helmet that fits you properly every time you get on a bicycle. You should also consider wearing pads for your elbows and knees. Long sleeves and pants are also a good choice since they protect you from getting road rash, even where the pads do not cover. It will also protect you from sunburns and insects. However, it is hot outside, you may not want to wear sleeves and pants.
No matter what activities you are enjoying on any given day, your safety should be your priority. No one sets out at the start of their day expecting an accident. Accidents happen very quickly and when they do, you do not have time to think about what you should have done differently. Therefore, you should always do what you can to protect yourself from a potentially bad injury. This especially applies to your children. They need to be protected every time that they are on a bicycle. It is the only real way to ensure that if an accident happens, you know that they are protected to the best of your ability.
Biking is a great way to burn calories and enjoy a cardio workout that does not leave you feeling confined to a gym. It is also a great way to spend time with your partner and your children, while you get out of the home and into the great outdoors. In most areas, there are bike trails that can be enjoyed by family members of all ages, where you can see birds, squirrels, and much more. If you haven’t yet enjoyed this type of family activity, there has never been a better time. Bike sharing programs allow people from all walks of life to go biking with the family; even if they have toddlers!
People turn to cycling in cities and in rural areas. Some people pedal their way to work as a way to avoid traffic jams and other potential issues. Many cities now offer bike-sharing programs that allow you to pick up a bike from one station and drop it off at another. This is ideal for people who lack space to store a bicycle or are unsure that they want to pursue bike riding as a hobby, so wish to avoid purchasing one. Bike sharing is also great for families with small children. However, you may need to plan to purchase a bike carrier for your ride-share bicycle.
You can bike ride around your neighborhood, along nature trails, in the park, and along sidewalks in your city. People ride for the fun of riding and to see what they can discover while doing so. Where will you ride and what will you discover along your chosen path?
Most people spend their time in a hurry to get from where they are to where they want to be. It is in our nature. We have a job or an errand to run, so we jump in the car and take care of our business. This can be an effective way to live, but it does mean that we often miss out on the smaller things in life. For instance, did you know that you can learn some fun facts while you are biking around? Even in big cities, such as Atlanta, there are hidden gems that are not easily accessible by our personal vehicles.
If you look up fun biking routes around Atlanta, you will have a variety of trails to choose from. These lesser known areas of town are not only amazing to see, but may be filled with fun facts that you will only know about once you are away from the hustle and bustle. You can travel via your bike around Stone Mountain or travel the Silver Comet Trail using a former rail line that can take you all the way to the Alabama border. On the Silver Comet, you will travel between deep cut rock ravines and over train trestles that will provide you with breathtaking views.
When you reach Atlanta, one of the first things you will notice is the trees. Nearly 50% of the city is canopied by them. However, before you ever reach the city, you will notice that this area is one of a kind. The Beltway caters to the biking community. Along this biking trail, you will find local shops, outstanding views of the skyline, and unique art pieces that car owners will miss out on seeing. If you really like to learn interesting things about your local area, you may also discover