Start Bike Riding
Ok, So I’ll be the first to say that bike riding as a means of transportation scares me. I don’t want to get hit by a car. However, I really think there are some huge benefits to bike riding:
1. It’s good excercise
2. Save on gas
3. Enjoy nature
Here are some tips to get started riding a bike again…
1. Acquire the bike - I wouldn’t suggest going and buying a brand new bike when you’re not even sure if this is what you really want to do. Check out renting a bike, borrowing one, or looking to buy a cheap used one for under $50 on Craig’s List.
2. Start slow - Pick a safe area to start bike riding. A neighborhood, a park, a bicycle path. I honestly think you can forget how to ride a bike, so start somewhere safe where alot of cars won’t be.
3. Remember your helmet - Riding a bike with a helmet is essential. You can get very badly injured, so don’t leave home without it.
4. Find a friend to ride with - Excercising with a friend will more likely get you out there. I’m sure you know someone who is a bike rider or who maybe wants to get into it as well. If not, look online - there’s tons of meet-up groups who go bike riding.
5. Join Critical Mass - Critical Mass is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road. I’ve never been to this, YET, but it’s a group of people who ride bikes who meet once a month and ride around the city together. There are apparently people of all levels and just seems like a really cool idea.
Alot of cities, like Atlanta, have programs that pay you to use an alternate environmental way of getting to work like starting to take public transportation, bike riding, or carpooling. Check out if your city offers this program as well.
As with any new habit, remember to let Mind Over Body win to get to your success level. Check out an entry about this on Finally Getting Fit.
