Nikky ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CYCLING AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORT Cycling as a means of transport. This is a very debatable subject. What reasons can make us change car for a bicycle? Are there any? Today reasons for riding a bike have changed. There are many advantages of riding a bike. To begin with, cycling is a inexpensive form of transport. You do no have to spend money on things such as petrol or costly repairs. Moreover, cycling helps you stay fit. It’s a good form of exercise, particulary for the legs, heart and lungs 1 . Finally, cycling is an environmentally-firiendly way to travel because it doesn’t create air polution. However, riding a bike has also its disadvantages. Cities are a mine of fumes 2 , which are very bad for our health. Riding a bike is such conditions can be dangerous. What is more, cycling on a busy roads isn’t very safe. Drivers don’t care about people on bikes. Finally, if you leave your bike near a shop it might be stolen. All things considered, although there are some disadvantages to use your bike, I’m sure it’s very healthy. We can stay fit, and as a result live longer. ADVANTAGES 1. Cycling improves mental well-being Cycling makes you happy: A study by the YMCA showed that people who had a physically active lifestyle had a wellbeing score 32 per cent higher than inactive individuals. There are so many ways that exercise can boost your mood: there’s the basic release of adrenalin and endorphins, and the improved confidence that comes from achieving new things (such as completing a sportive or getting closer to that goal). Cycling combines physical exercise with being outdoors and exploring new views. You can ride solo – giving you time to process worries or concerns, or you can ride with a group which broadens 3 your social circle. Former Hour Record holder Graeme Obree has suffered from depression through much of his life, and told us: “Getting out and riding will help [people suffering with depression]… Without cycling, I don’t know where I would be.” 2. Cycling promotes weight loss Weight loss is one benefit of cycling: The simple equation, when it comes to weight loss, is ‘calories out must exceed calories in’. So you need to burn more calories than you consume to lose weight. Cycling burns calories: between 400 and 1000 an hour, depending on intensity and rider weight.Of course, there are other factors: the make-up of the calories you consume affects the frequency of your refuelling, as does the quality of your sleep and of course the amount of time you spend burning calories will be influenced by how much you enjoy your chosen activity. Assuming you enjoy cycling, you’ll be burning calories. And if you eat well, you should lose weight. 3. Cycling builds muscle Build muscle on the bike: The resistance element of cycling means that it doesn’t just burn fat: it also builds muscle – particularly around the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves. Muscle is leaner than fat, and people with a higher percentage of muscle burn more calories even when sedentary. 1 Liviano 2 Minas de humo 3 Ensanchar