By Jane Dawn

If you are already an avid cyclist who values this liberating, zero-carbon emission, free and easy means of getting from point A to B, then you are probably well aware of why cycling is an activity that is worth campaigning for. Thus far, much has been done to improve conditions for city cyclists. Dublin Cycling Campaign has been instrumental, for instance, in achieving the 30km/h speed limit, while Dublin Bikes has made it easier than ever to rent a bike and reach the opposite side of the city in under half an hour.

Constant campaigning to improve safety and facilities for cycle (including the Rule of the Road guidance) is merited, since cycling is such a positive activity that wields power physical and mental benefits. In this post, we highlight a few.

Cycling is an Exception to the No-Sitting Rule

Doctors and researchers alike have warned of the effects of the sedentary lifestyle. Too many Dubliners spend numerous hours of the day sitting, which results in an increased likelihood of obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle can also increase the risk of specific types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer.

Active people, on the other hand, more ore likely to enjoy muscular and cardiovascular fitness, and to be less likely to experience a hip or spinal fracture.

Cycling is one of a handful of sports carried out in a seated position, which can significantly counter the effects of the sedentary lifestyle. During your working day, aim to get up and stretch, move, walk, or run, at least once every hour and at the end of your working day, cycle home if you can instead of taking your car or public transport.

In addition to being an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise which does not put weight on the joints, cycling strengthens various muscles, including the quadriceps, calves, gluteus maximus, core muscles, and shoulders and arms.

Cycling as a Powerful Aid for Mental Health

Cycling and other forms of aerobic exercise improve our mental health in many ways, with study after study showing that they lower level of stress hormone, cortisol; make it easier to get a good night’s sleep; lift our mood; and increase vitality. These effects can be intensified, of course, by consuming a sound diet and considering taking functional nootropics – supplements like caffeine or ginkgo biloba, which have been found to increase alertness and regulate stress, respectively. Different nootropics improve brain function in specific ways, improving sleep quality, boosting cognitive function, and reducing the likelihood of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Cycling also helps us achieve a state that has been found in study after study to promote greater calm and happiness: mindfulness – in which the mind is ‘fully immersed in the present moment’, instead of regretting aspects of the past or worrying about future outcomes. As we cycle through a buzzing city environment or a serene green area or park, it is easy to feel fully immersed in this activity, as we enjoy the freedom of simply ‘being’.

Whether your cycle for sport or for transport, rest assured that you are doing yourself a world of good, both physically and mentally. If you value the many benefits that cycling brings to your life, make sure to campaign for safer streets for all, and improved cycling legislation, venues, and facilities.