Get cycling and gear yourself up

More people may be favouring pedal power as a result of motor insurance hikes - but they need to gear themselves up first.

Everybody's heard the old saying "get on your bike" - but the famous adage has perhaps never been as apt as it is today.

With rising environmental concerns, fitness worries and travel costs being highlighted on a seemingly daily basis, perhaps now is the time people really do need to take note and start to feel the benefits of pedal power - all they have to do is make sure they have the right gear.

Those who purchase all they need to take to the streets - such as a bike, helmet, water bottle, high visibility jacket, gloves and lights - will find the health benefits of doing so will soon start to show.

And those who begin to travel by bike on a daily basis - to and from work for example - will be embarking on a regime guaranteed to boost health.

Emma Malcolm, chief executive of Prostate Action, stated building up fitness one day at a time is a safe and recommended way to get active.

The medical expert noted: "If you have been living a relatively sedentary life and want to change your lifestyle, that's fantastic, but take it slowly."

And those who cycle to the office may find the activity can act as a form of stress relief from the hectic and busy environment of the workplace.

Tam Fry, a National Obesity Forum board member and chair for the Child Growth Foundation, pointed out: "Brisk, physical activity makes a huge difference."

"Exercise will take you away from snacking and overeating at your office desk and will ultimately be very good for you," he added.

Moreover, Maria Castellina, spokeswoman for Ramblers, noted walking just one mile can burn off at least 100 calories - so just imagine how much post-Christmas fat will drop off with a daily cycling routine.

So why not replace that short car journey with a muscle-pumping cycle that could relieve all the pent up stress built up throughout the day in the confines of the office?

Teresa Lavin, author of a Public Health in Ireland report based on the benefits of light physical activity, stated: "There is considerable scope to replace car journeys with walking and cycling and doing so would increase physical activity which would benefit people's health straight away." 

And with motor insurance costs seemingly forever on the rise, a bicycle could also prove advantageous from a financial point of view - a benefit many people in Britain seem to have already cottoned on to.

According to Halfords, 660,000 individuals have started using their bikes for journeys they used to do by car.

In a survey of 1,120 motorists, two per cent of those quizzed revealed they had begun to incorporate cycling into their routines where they had previously used other modes of transport.

Furthermore, 78 per cent of respondents claimed they would like to start using their cars less often - through means such as only going to the supermarket once a week to carry out one big shop.

So there you have it - people want to start cycling but just haven't got round to it.

Well, get on the case, get all the gear and - we won't say it again - get on your bike!