MANY OF US likely remember our first bicycles and subsequent first bicycle rides. I vividly remember my first set of wheels, front basket embellished with flowers and “license plate” with my name embossed in bright metallic-blue lettering. Many of us likely carry scars on our bodies documenting those first few bicycle rides. Bicycling seems sometimes to be thought of as an activity reserved for childhood, a novelty that loses its luster once we are able to operate vehicles of the four-wheeled variety; however, this shouldn’t be the case! Bicycling has numerous benefits for people of all ages.
Childhood is considered prime time for brain development. Oftentimes we consider only the cognitive development of our little ones. While this is important, it is also necessary to consider the development of children from the perspective of coordination and gross motor functions. Bicycling is a fantastic way to help develop the brain-body connection in children. Children also need regular physical activity, just like adults! We should be aiming for an hour of play per day for our children. Bicycling is an excellent way to get children outside and moving. Of course, children should always wear a helmet and be under the close supervision of an adult while riding a bicycle.
Young and middle-aged adults can reap the benefits of bicycling as well. Bicycling is a wonderful way to develop and maintain heart health. Regular cardiovascular exercise like bicycling in addition to a healthy diet helps to stave off many diseases that are more frequently now impacting younger adults than previously. Some of these diseases include coronary artery disease (heart disease), stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in my medical training, it’s that the old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” absolutely holds up in the real world.
The benefits of bicycling aren’t limited to children and young to middle-aged adults. I routinely recommend bicycling, either stationary or outdoor biking, to my older patients. Bicycling is considered to be a low-impact exercise, which can be very helpful for those with pain related to arthritis of the lower extremity joints or low back.
Contrary to popular belief, low-impact exercise like bicycling can be quite beneficial for those with arthritis. The movement of the joints with each pedal stroke can help “flush” out old blood and joint fluid and allow for movement of new blood and joint fluid. This can help to decrease pain and increase function of the joint. Regular cardiovascular exercise also helps to keep the brain healthy and functioning normally. It can also help with decreasing the severity of diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Bicycling is an excellent way to stay healthy throughout life for a variety of reasons. As with any exercise program, you should talk with your primary care doctor about what amount and type of exercise is right for you and your family. Please always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle and ensure that if you are riding on a public thoroughfare that you heed the traffic around you.
May is Bike Month, a project of the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG). See information about area hike/bike paths and special Bike Month challenges on the walking and biking pages of tmacog.org (tmacog.org/transportation/walking-biking).
Dr Erica Martin is a Family Medicine and Sports Medicine physician.
