Natural Harvest: Son of a BIKE!

Mid last year my car broke down and it made traveling long distances very hard, having to borrow cars while others weren’t using them but on the other hand it made me remember how good it was to ride a bike with benefits for both you and the environment.

Firstly I’ll talk about you. After a few weeks from riding the bike and really pushing myself I found it took further for me to get tired and have to slow down making it fast to get to work (meaning I didn’t have to leave the house as early.

Riding strengthens your muscles while also building stamina, improves heart health, helps burn fat and increase your balance all while you’re just on your way to the local shop, school or work and you don’t have to wear an interesting outfit either.

You can often feel a bit more at peace while riding it may be the fresh air when not behind a car, the slight sensation of flying when going down a hill or the scenery when you’re on a bike path along a river or park which helps to lower your stress.

In most cases the community will thank you for using a quieter form of transport that is less likely to hurt children or curse pollution and allowing one less car on the road for those that may need a car.

Now to the environment, using a bicycle powered by legs or electric motor means no air pollution and one with a petrol motor makes pollution but not as much as a car and often the motor can be switched to manual when needed.

Bikes also use A LOT less metals, plastic and rubber than a car would while being constructed and maintaining putting the metal for other uses like… making more bikes?

If you are thinking about getting into riding a bike as a form of transport here are some helpful tips.
· Practice riding to where you plan on going to find out when you need to leave to get on time
· Make sure your bike has lights and their working
· It is a good idea to get a fluro vest to cars can see you
· Mount a review mirror to your right handle
· Be patient and give way to car, it’s safer (don’t pull out to go around car if a car is behind you)
· Bring tools and spare parts so you don’t get stuck somewhere.