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?