National Bike Week

I hope you remember where you have been storing your bike helmets and most importantly those bikes as we celebrate National Bike Week!

National bike week highlights the difference travelling on your bike could make or simply just the benefits to riding your bike. Now I'm not going to try and tell you to start riding your bike to work everyday if that’s not something you would enjoy doing, but how fun would it be to get out on your bike with maybe some family or friends and enjoy the outdoors! Just picture this, it’s a lovely summer's day, you’re riding your bike through your local park and spending some quality time with your family and friends.

The benefits of riding a bike

Riding your bike can be really beneficial physically and mentally. Riding a bike can improve muscle strength and flexibility, decrease body fat levels and improve posture and coordination. These are only some of the physical benefits to cycling, however, did you know that cycling can also help mentally. When cycling your body releases hormones called endorphins, also known as our ‘feel-good’ hormones. These hormones can help you feel relaxed and give you a chance to stop worrying about any stresses you may have. Cycling can also help you feel happier. This is because those hormones boost your mood and can reduce your feelings of anxiety. Research has also shown that those who cycle regularly have a reduced risk of feeling stressed.

Cycling doesn't just have to be beneficial for adults. Getting your children out on a bike can also be beneficial. Teaching children how to ride a bike can help improve motor skills, including balance, bilateral coordination, postural strength, lower limb strength and core strength.

Getting outside on your bike this summer can also give your family time to spend some quality time together and you could even make a day out of it. A great idea to get all the family involved could be by going on a bike ride, exploring new paths and having an adventure! You could bring a picnic along with you too and enjoy the outdoors. This can also help widen your children's knowledge and imagination.

Bike Week 2022

Bike week is coming up in June, so what better opportunity to get involved than today! This year, we’re encouraging you to get out on your bike and cycle to work, cycle with your friends or through your local park. Who knows, maybe you will surprise yourself with how much you enjoy going out on a bike ride.

If you’re feeling up to the challenge, there are many ways you could get involved this month. Maybe it’s by encouraging your workplace to get involved with you or sharing your pictures of you and others cycling (using the bike week hashtag: #BikeWeekUK). You could also challenge yourself by trying to ride your bike to work (if you’re able to). Perhaps you might find that you enjoy riding your bike to work rather than driving (or any other transport that you use).