Getting healthy by cycling
The health benefits of cycling have been cited as the main reason for taking to pedal power by hundreds of people responding to a recent Warwickshire County Council competition.
In conjunction with the Warwick TravelWise Cycle Races, which took place in September, the county council ran a competition offering entrants the chance to win a £500 racing bike, and asking why people choose to cycle.
From the 405 people who filled in the questionnaire it was revealed that the vast majority, 57 per cent, cycle for the health benefits.
The next highest ranking was 14 per cent of people who cycle to be sustainable, 11 per cent enter competitions, 10 per cent are attracted by the lower cost, four per cent prefer the ease of parking, and a further four per cent cycle to avoid traffic.
The healthy benefits of cycling are clear to see - a recent trial revealed that non-exercisers who began cycling around 19 miles weekly, improved their aerobic fitness by over 11 per cent. And according to the British Medical Association a moderate 30-minute ride to work can burn 200 calories, or 11kg of fat per year.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “I’m delighted that so many people are aware of the health benefits of cycling, but I would like to see more people seeing cycling as a sustainable form of transport. It’s a great way to beat the queues and parking worries, and of course you’ll be improving your fitness at the same time.”
For more information on cycling opportunities in Warwickshire and other green travel options visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/travelwise