May is National Bike Month

Did you know that if you avoided driving just 10 miles every week you would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in a year? Now that the weather is nice you should consider biking to work, as it’s a great way to both reduce pollution in the environment and strengthen your personal health.

Did you know that if you avoided driving just 10 miles every week you would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in a year? Now that the weather is nice you should consider biking to work, as it’s a great way to both reduce pollution in the environment and strengthen your personal health.

May is National Bike Month, a 31-day celebration of bicycle awareness created by the League of American Bicyclists. The month consists of Bike-to-Work week (May 16-20) and Bike-to-Work day on May 18.

Throughout the month individuals, families, friends, coworkers and more can attend and sponsor events that promote the excitement and benefits of bicycling.

What are the health benefits of bicycling?

• Improves blood flow in the heart
• Increases muscle strength
• Helps with weight loss
• Builds stronger bones
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces risk of diabetes and cancer
• Decreases chronic pain associated with arthritis
• Lowers stress

The most important health benefit of the activity is that it increases overall life expectancy, so the more you bike, the longer you’ll live!

Are you doing anything for National Bike Month? If you’re not, here are 10 ways you can celebrate the month-long event:

1. Create your own bicycling event with this League of American Bicyclists Step-by-Step Guide.
2. Upgrade your old bike by purchasing a new one.
3. Don’t have a bike? Rent one at RentaBikeNow.com.
4. Go on a family bike ride.
5. Give your bike a tune-up.
6. Find a cycling event in your area.
7. Donate your old bike to a thrift store or other non-profit organization.
8. Go for a ride at a nearby bike trail.
9. Visit the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in New Jersey.
10. Bike to school with your children.

Finally, don’t forget to sign up for two of our LifeBridge Health related biking events:

Save-A-Limb Ride, Walk and Festival – Saturday, October 22, 2012, Oregon Ridge Park

Race for Our Kids – Sunday, September 23, 2012, Starts at Pimlico Parking Lot

-Trish Smith