Ditch the engine, go for the pedals

Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder and Kazima Khatun :

Maintaining a consistent healthy exercise routine is a lot more diverse than we view it to be. When we think of keeping in shape and exercising, we envision the gym, investing a designated time of the day or financial burden. But a habit within reach and easy to incorporate in our routine like cycling instead of taking private motor run vehicles or public transport can have just as many health benefits as a moderate maintenance workout. World Bicycle Day shines light on the health, economic and environmental benefits of switching to a cycle. So, for evidently practical reasons, the United Nations General Assembly declared the day of 3rd June as “World Bicycle Day” in 2018. Even though new, this occasion has been observed annually and its purpose is being served well enough so far.
A grassroots campaign that was led by Professor Leszek Sibilski along with his class of sociology was held for promoting a UN Resolution for World Bicycle Day. This eventually gained the support of over 56 other independent countries. The designer of the original Blue and White #June3WorldBicycleDay logo of the United Nation (UN) was Isaac Feld. It delineates a wide range of bicyclists riding all around the globe. There is the hashtag #June3WorldBicycleDay at the bottom of this logo implying the idea of showing that the bicycles belong to and serve all of humanity.
Several kinds of pollutants from fuel ran private and public transport vehicles are major causes of numerous health drawbacks and environmental destruction. The burning of fuel in order to run these vehicles results in emission of majorly harmful gases like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, formaldehyde, etc. These emissions will undeniably be the cause of air pollution. Air that is polluted by these threatening elements will lead to damaged trees, affected respiratory systems of both human beings and other animals like birds around us. Pollutants from vehicles can be the reason for immediate and long-term problems. Although there are numerous factors playing a role in global warming, the pollutants emitted from cars are the main reason. Air, water, and soil are components that are largely affected by the impacts of vehicular pollution. The ozone layer is getting depleted day by day, and this poses a risk for the Earth to be exposed to harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. Starting from respiratory diseases to cancer, car pollutants are responsible for a huge number of health hazards. It is also the reason why the immunity gets weak. Thus, the risk factor of being vulnerable to different illnesses and complications rises as well. Air pollution is not the only kind of pollution caused by these transport systems. Vehicles like cars, motorbikes and buses honk horns are significantly louder than that of bicycle bells and cause unnecessary levels noise pollution. This form of noise pollution is the most common among other kinds of pollutions in our country. It widely hampers the auditory perception of the people. The threat doesn’t only limit itself to hearing inability, it ranges far to high blood pressure, tendencies of forgetfulness, as well as possible eventual cardiac arrest.
An increase in the practice of cycling can efficiently prevent and bring down a lot of these issues. Cycling is a low-impact, enjoyable and eco-friendly way of staying healthy and fit. Whether you cycle for leisure or as a mode of transportation, it offers many physical and mental health benefits. Cycling is an extraordinary cardiovascular exercise that can help improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and in reducing any risk of being affected by heart disease. Cycling is an ideal way to burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. A 30-minute bike ride is known to be able to burn up to 300 calories. Cycling, as we know, is a low-impact exercise that can build strength and tone muscles up in the legs, hips, and core.
Cycling can also be great for social interactions and relations. Going for it in groups can be a good way to meet new people and find people who share similar interests. One of the good things about this activity now is the increasing use of e-bikes. These electric bikes have made longer distances and hilly places more accessible to older people and allowed a wider range of people to continue pursuing this activity as they age.
Cycling is not only a great way to stay fit and healthy but also a sustainable mode of transportation that can help reduce peoples’ total carbon footprint and help protect our precious environment. Commuting by a bike instead of driving or taking public transportation is not only eco-friendly but also a great way to be financially smart and responsible by saving money on gas and parking charges.
Additionally, it’s an exceptional path to explore new and different places while enjoying and having adventures in the outdoors. Cyclers can pre-plan scenic bike lanes through areas that are new to them to explore while exercising and enjoying the outdoors. Many places even offer bike-sharing facilities that allow you to rent a bike for a certain period of time as a way to ride around. People can often find bike tours when they are in a place that is new to them as a great way to meet new people while travelling as previously mentioned.
Whether a person has experience with being a cyclist or is a complete beginner, there a number of ways to incorporate cycling into their day to day routine or their next travel adventure to amp their lifestyles up. People can also cycle to work, school, or the grocery store, join a cycling club or group or simply take a leisurely ride on a sunny day. With its many benefits, cycling is a refreshing gateway to the improvement of your health, enjoy the outdoors, and entertainment.

(Dr Majumder is Dean, Faculty of Science Stamford University Bangladesh and Kazima Khatun is Research Assistant, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies).