fitbody
tributes to mental well-being, even to the point of countering depression. A study at Duke University found that 60 percent of people suffering from depression overcame it by exercising for 30 minutes three times a week without antidepres- sant medication, which is comparable to the rate of relief people generally achieve through medication alone. Daily exercise may also help pre-
their fitness, save money or support sustainabil- ity, but they continue because it’s fun. Ask a motorist
BIKE TO WORK P
The Two-Wheel Commuting Wow by Paul Dorn
eople might start commuting by bicycle to improve
about their commute and they’ll frown, at best. Ask a bicyclist about their commute and they’ll smile, and likely mention the endorphin rush, fresh air, wildlife spotted that morning, the new breakfast shop discovered en route or how their retirement accounts are swelling with money saved by not driving.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of bicycling are recognized around the world. Cy- cling is a holistic form of exercise that gradually builds strength and muscle tone with little risk of over-exercise or strain, according to AdultBicycling. com. Legs, thighs, hips and buttocks all benefit, including hip and knee joints. The average cyclist burns about 300 calories during a 20-minute commute,
28 Collier/Lee Counties
Commuters can now select the “Bicycling” layer on Google Maps at
Maps.Google.com/ biking to help them plan their route.
while also improving coordination. Commuting bicyclists
easily meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommen- dation that adults engage in moderate-intensity physical activities for 30 minutes or more at least five days a week. A study
in the Scandinavian Journal of Medi- cine & Science in Sports concluded that just 30 minutes of bicycle commuting improved aerobic fitness, cardiovascu- lar load, cholesterol and the burning of fats for energy. According to the British Medi-
cal Association, in a nine-year study of 9,000 UK civil servants, those who cycled 25 miles a week (2.5 miles each way) experienced half the heart attacks as those who shunned physical exer- cise. A long-term Copenhagen Heart study of more than 30,000 men and women found that even after adjusting for other risk factors, those who biked to work had a 39 percent lower mortal- ity rate than those who did not. A less stressful commute also con-
swfl.naturalawakeningsmag.com
vent memory loss, according to several recent studies from the United States and Europe. The research, reported by the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and others, suggests that because regular aerobic exercise—such as bicycling, swimming or running— can improve cardiorespiratory fitness by up to 14 percent, it helps improve brain function. Further, improved over- all health helps prevent certain diseases that may affect mental health.
Cost & Time Benefits
When it comes to sustainability, the bi- cycle is one of the most energy-efficient personal transportation devices ever created. According to the American Automobile Association, the average annual cost of operating a sedan for 15,000 miles in 2010 totals $8,487; for an SUV, it’s $11,085. Vehicle costs include depreciation, finance charges, fuel, maintenance, tires, tolls, insurance and taxes. Given the latest U.S. median annual household income of $52,029 reported by the Census Bureau in 2008, the cost of car ownership exceeds 15 or 20 percent of the typical household’s income. A quality bicycle, which can be purchased for the price of about one car payment, will never need fueling, is inexpensive to repair and has an oper-
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