Green is very in — in fact, it’s the environment’s most fashionable color as of late. If you’re looking for a trendy way to go green, ditch those fashion magazines and open your garage. A bicycle is the healthy-forward and environmental friendly must have.
That’s right — the bike is making a big comeback. Consider this from The Economist: The World in 2008, “Good old-fashioned bicycles, being green and healthy, are increasingly fashionable again.”
Let’s take a look at some of the top reasons this cost-efficient accessory makes good, green sense.
Good for the body
We’ve always been told that we should exercise about 20 to 30 minutes per day. But according to the Institute of Medicine, a full hour of moderately intense activity per day is the better goal to shoot for.1
We’ve always been told that we should exercise about 20 to 30 minutes per day. But according to the Institute of Medicine, a full hour of moderately intense activity per day is the better goal to shoot for.1
But let’s face it — hectic schedules often get in the way and finding the time for fitness is easier said than done. But with a little green creativity the average daily commute for workers (over 80 minutes2 round trip) can become the average daily workout. Build bike riding into your daily commute. Studies show that regular bikers can enjoy a fitness level equal to that of someone 10 years younger, along with increased strength, balance, flexibility and stamina.3 How energizing!
Good for the heart
The more physical fitness we fit into our day, the more our health and heart improves. Cardiovascular exercise, like biking, helps reduce the risk of heart disease by raising HDL – the good cholesterol — and lowering triglycerides, which in turn lowers blood pressure.4 And when you consider that biking only twenty miles a week can actually halve the risk of heart disease when compared against someone who doesn’t bike or exercise3, the extra effort is priceless.
The more physical fitness we fit into our day, the more our health and heart improves. Cardiovascular exercise, like biking, helps reduce the risk of heart disease by raising HDL – the good cholesterol — and lowering triglycerides, which in turn lowers blood pressure.4 And when you consider that biking only twenty miles a week can actually halve the risk of heart disease when compared against someone who doesn’t bike or exercise3, the extra effort is priceless.
Good for the mind
The evening traffic jam in many metropolises can best be described as agonizing. Consider this: the city of Bangkok, a metropolis of over 7.5 million people, endures commutes with speed highs as low as a molasses-like seven miles per hour.2 New Yorkers are also no stranger to the after-work turtle crawl. The hurry up and wait aches afflicts millions. The elixir? Try a bike.
The evening traffic jam in many metropolises can best be described as agonizing. Consider this: the city of Bangkok, a metropolis of over 7.5 million people, endures commutes with speed highs as low as a molasses-like seven miles per hour.2 New Yorkers are also no stranger to the after-work turtle crawl. The hurry up and wait aches afflicts millions. The elixir? Try a bike.
Biking can help you breathe a big sigh of relief. And literally too — not only is bicycling a proven stress reliever, it’s also good for your lungs: bikers absorb lower levels of pollutants from traffic fumes than other road users.5
Good for the earth
Every time we fire up the car, pollution happens. And studies show it’s those shorter trips that do the most damage: 60 percent of auto-emissions pollution occurs in the first few minutes. Biking as a driving alternative soothes the earth and the return is better air quality and cleaner water. How refreshing!
Every time we fire up the car, pollution happens. And studies show it’s those shorter trips that do the most damage: 60 percent of auto-emissions pollution occurs in the first few minutes. Biking as a driving alternative soothes the earth and the return is better air quality and cleaner water. How refreshing!
Good for the wallet
Daily driving costs a pretty substantial. For starters, there’s insurance. Add on cost include tolls, parking fees, regular maintenance and, of course, fuel. Switching to a bike lightens the load on your wallet. And with governments everywhere offering bikers perks, such as public bike facilities with lockers, showers and repair, it’s more convenient than ever to make the switch to two wheels.
Daily driving costs a pretty substantial. For starters, there’s insurance. Add on cost include tolls, parking fees, regular maintenance and, of course, fuel. Switching to a bike lightens the load on your wallet. And with governments everywhere offering bikers perks, such as public bike facilities with lockers, showers and repair, it’s more convenient than ever to make the switch to two wheels.
In Paris, France a self-service bike transit system, named Velib, offers over 11,000 “loaner” bikes, available for pick-up or drop off at over 750 locations throughout the city. Residents or tourists simply purchase a daily, weekly or annual euro card, swipe a meter and begin peddling.*
Good for business
Companies around the globe are finding that going green promotes a healthier work environment. Aetna engaged its employees in an education campaign to highlight environmental policies and encourage employees to go green. Since “Aetna’s Getting Greener” rolled out in November, employee participation in telecommuting, recycling, and paper-saving continues to rise.
Companies around the globe are finding that going green promotes a healthier work environment. Aetna engaged its employees in an education campaign to highlight environmental policies and encourage employees to go green. Since “Aetna’s Getting Greener” rolled out in November, employee participation in telecommuting, recycling, and paper-saving continues to rise.
