Bicycle: Our Childhood Friend

Team Udayavani, Jun 3, 2022, 9:54 AM IST

Growing up, bicycles have been such an integral part of our lives. Be it going around the block merrily with our friends, or racing them to the park to see who gets there first, or playfully ringing the cycle bell numerous times just to call them out to play, we’ve always had cycles.

Apart from that, hopping on our bicycle to quickly buy milk, or riding off to math tuitions after school, bicycles have always been there. They have consistently and constantly remained our friends throughout our childhood. Then why is it that once we grow up, most of us tend to leave them behind? Why are bicycles for most of us necessarily just a part of our childhood?

I guess, the United Nations understood the need for bicycles to make it past our childhood and decided to do something about it. Well, along with the above-stated reason, the United Nations believes that bicycles are versatile, reliable, and most importantly, sustainable. Which is why, every year on June 3 since 2018, we celebrate World Bicycle Day.

And once we learn about the benefits of cycling, the idea behind devoting an entire day to celebrating the importance of bicycles in our lives becomes clearer.

According to studies, it is proven that cycling increases stamina levels, and helps in building our muscles. Not just muscles, it tremendously aids in strengthening our bones and joints. Cycling is known to push us to lead a more flexible life.

Cycling when compared to other physical activities is more convenient as it helps us move according to our pace and intensity. It’s a physical skill that can easily be learnt and is fun to learn, too! Moreover, it fits in very easily with our day-to-day schedule, be it buying groceries, going to work, or visiting friends and family. It is a fun and simple way to stay fit and save ourselves from harmful diseases caused by obesity.

Cycling not only helps us stay physically fit, it also keeps our mental health in check. Research has suggested that a daily round of cycling helps reduce stress and anxiety. It keeps the mind fresh and active. It plays a vital role in elevating the serotonin (the happy hormones) levels in our bodies. After making sure our mental and physical health is stable, it then helps us maintain a proper posture also.

The benefits of cycling when compared to other modes of transportation are numerous. We should all put in efforts to try to cycle more often as it helps us live a healthy life and also keeps the environment clean and pollution-free. Moreover, it is fun to cycle. So, if cycling helps us mentally and physically, if cycling helps the environment, and then if it is also a fun thing to do, why don’t we do it often?

Authored by Aditi Agarwal