The Health Benefits Of Cycling (Plus A Chance To Win A Bike!)

The average American spends just over 45 minutes a day commuting to and from work, according to one survey -- but instead of the road-rage fueled car trips or shoulder-to-shoulder public transportation commute, what if you started your day off on a better, healthier note?

The League of American Bicyclists is the national sponsor of Bike Month -- and this week, May 16-20 is the official Bike to Work Week. Biking to work can be a cheaper (no gas, tolls or public transportation fees), greener and, yes, healthier option.

A recent Harvard university study found that biking -- even for as little as five minute each day -- can stave off weight gain for middle aged women, according to Health.com. The researchers followed more than 19,000 women and found that those who started a five-minute-a-day bike ride routine gained 1.5 fewer pounds than their non-cycling peers over a 16-year period. Those who rode for 30 minutes a day kept off 3.5 more pounds than those who didn’t bike. “Bicycling is an answer to weight control,” lead author Anne Lusk, Ph.D., told Health.com.

And cycling may be good for your community’s health, as well. Another study, published last year in the American Journal of Public Health, found that “communities with more walkers and cyclists are healthier than those where people must rely on cars to get around,” reports Science Daily.

Don’t have a bike yet? Not to worry: In honor of Bike to Work Week, Performance Bicycle is giving away one 2011 Scattante F-330 Fitness Road Bike (valued at $749) to a lucky Healthy Living reader. (You can find the company on Facebook here).

To Enter:

Tell us why you love biking by either:

1. Tweeting @HuffPostHealth with your answer
2. Leaving a comment in the comment fields below

A couple rules...
The comment or tweet must be left between 3 p.m. eastern time on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 and 5 p.m. eastern time on Friday, May 20, 2011.
Open to legal resident of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. You may enter one time. One winner will be selected in a random drawing. Please enter only once. Click here for complete Official Rules.

Comments

[htownbigpoppa]

02:04 PM on 07/13/2011

I love biking its a great tension reliever after a long day. I wish I lived close enough to bike to work but 30 miles each way in the Texas heat I don't think my co workers would like sitting to me after that. I like to ride the area close to my house it helps me see things around me that I don't normally get to see when I am driving.

[rainonyourparade]

01:21 AM on 05/28/2011

I like to ride to the little farm stands and check out their fresh veggies and fill my backpack up. Sometimes I stop at the local dairy farm for fresh ice-cream and say hi to the cows. The best rides are the ones home when the fireflies are just coming out, and just as I reach my house the sun disappears behind the mountains.

[Kenneth Salak]

02:20 PM on 05/27/2011

I like to ride, because my knees take less impact than running or walking.

[Alix Love]

12:47 PM on 05/27/2011

Nothing beats sore cheeks!

[liztomek]

09:53 AM on 05/25/2011

Biking is great "me time"! It's a great way to get fresh air, have time to think about things, and experience the outdoors even if it's just a 5 minute ride to work.

[kals1gal]

04:01 AM on 05/25/2011

Biking provides a shared outdoor play for us all. When the kids start whining we simply bend an ear to the wind, smile and pedal faster.

[kals1gal]

03:48 AM on 05/25/2011

Biking gets my family outside with a fun fitness activity we can do together rain or shine. We often add a destination (ice cream, park, ball field, grandma's house) to give the kids a target, and we often stop at creeks and ponds to look for turtles, tadpoles or newts. All rides are good for the heart, mind and soul.

[Waterphoneman]

12:30 PM on 05/24/2011

Biking is great as you really get to see what is around you and it is no big deal to stop and smell a flower plus your body will like you better and you may even start a neighborhood trend.

[Vajara]

12:20 PM on 05/24/2011

Thank you for pointing out all of the great benefits of biking. I am 76 yrs. young and this is by far my favorite daily activity. I get the exercise I need and feel happy and secure that I can do this as long as I live. Of course there are other activities I do to maintain my strength, coordination, balance and flexibility--eg. martial arts, yoga, massage, Reiki, Acupuncture, and meditation, but my bike even enhances all of these other health practices.

[Sarah Scherr]

03:22 PM on 05/23/2011

I love biking because it saves me money, keeps me fit, doesn’t harm the environment and sets a great example for my daughter!

[Lara Adkins Hanlon]

11:55 AM on 05/23/2011

I usually bike with my mom, aunt, and uncle, so the enjoyment is three fold: connecting with nature (there is NOTHING like feeling the wind in your face as you bike a wooded path), connecting with my family, and connecting with my body. It's such a rush!

[Jonny Born]

02:29 AM on 05/23/2011

If you are a biking enthusiast like me, then you are always looking for a great new trail to explore. The first step is deciding where you want to go. My suggestion for this trip would be to travel to Maine. Maine is one of the most beautiful states in the Union. ;Because of this, there are many parks and outdoor places to take your bike out to enjoy the scenery.

http://www­.caralluma­activesben­efits.com

[bikeohio]

09:46 PM on 05/22/2011

I love biking for many reasons. For one, it reminds me of a care-free youth I once enjoyed. As an adult, it is a great way to both exercise AND unwind.

[Steve in Chi-town]

11:09 AM on 05/21/2011

Great Bike! I would like one please!

[daud11]

09:22 AM on 05/21/2011

The morning ride to work is a great way to wake up your body. I especially enjoy the ride home as a way to unwind after a challenging work day. And yes, FREEDOM!!!