Month: May 2019

Rider Protective Gear

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.

Why Gear Matters

When you think about bike riding, you may not consider how much potential there is for accidents. What could really happen to you on a bicycle? The truth is; a lot. Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. Vehicles may not watch out for you. You could hit a pothole and your bike could fall. People have fractured their wrists and hands because of having something happen that made them flip over their handlebars. Head injuries can happen if your head happens to hit a concrete sidewalk or some pavement.
The most common injuries are not life-threatening, but may still cause pain. This includes cuts, scrapes, and bruises. You also have to consider where you are bike riding. In the city, you may not need a lot of bug repellent, but you may still want to ensure you wear sunblock to protect your skin from the environment.

What Gear Do You Need?

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.
In the bright white sun of a city, sunblock will be your friend if you do not want to wear sleeves and pants. Sunblock can help you even as the sun reflects off store windows. If your adventures are going to take you into the woods, you may also choose to wear a mosquito proof outfit. Most are designed to keep you cool and comfortable while ensuring that you are virtually invisible to bugs.

When Safety Matters Most!

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 With The Family, Even The Toddlers!

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!

The Beauty of Biking

When it comes to healthy activities, you have many options. When you are hoping for a fun activity that is healthy, your choices can become fewer. When biking, you get the best of all worlds combined. There is no exact or set in stone number to the calories you can burn while bike riding. It depends on your weight, how quickly you pedal, where you are pedaling, and more. However, in most cases, you can say that the average 180-pound person, pedaling at a moderate pace, can burn around 650 calories in as little as one hour.

Walking will burn only about 100 calories. Swimming will burn more, at an estimated 817 calories, but it can only be enjoyed through certain seasons and may not allow you the freedom to be outside. You also get the added bonus of a cardio workout that will ensure your heart stays healthy.

Where to Bike Ride

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.
When choosing a carrier, you need to make sure that it is big enough for a toddler to sit comfortably and securely. You also need to make sure that your toddler is able to sit still, even if they become excited by the things that they see while tagging along on your bike. If you have a toddler that is very active, you may want to practice on small outings first to ensure that accidents will not happen.
Kids that are beyond the toddler years can also enjoy bike outings. They can ride their own bike with training wheels or take advantage of a smaller bike rental option. It doesn’t matter how you start enjoying the ride, only that you strive to do it as a family.

Where Will You Ride To?

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?