Among all the types of physical activity I have encouraged others to take up over the years, there is one in particular I was always a little uncomfortable advocating, until now.
It’s been about three months since I decided to take the plunge, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I have no aspirations of hitting the race circuit any time soon, but simply getting to work and back each day on time and in the right head-space has proven a more enticing trophy than any.
If you have ever wondered whether cycling might be the right commuting solution for you, then sharing some of my recent revelations may help encourage you to grab the bike by its handles, and ride towards noticeably better health and happiness. I understand the reasons for favouring the comfort of one’s car as much as anyone, as well as some of the concerns that arise upon considering the alternatives, so let us have a look at some of them in a little more depth.
Some of the more common objections include the approach of local drivers towards cyclists, the lack of cycling lanes, Malta’s hilly terrain, the inconvenience of carrying a change of clothes or having to shower upon reaching one’s destination and the possibility of rain. And who feels like cycling home at the end of a particularly long and stressful day anyway? I’ve found most of these objections to actually be far less problematic than they seem, and without doubt they are far outweighed by the benefits.
The hilly terrain problem was the first to crumble for me. While it is true that Malta sports more hills than countries on mainland Europe where cycling is much more popular, it is worth noting that unless you are commuting on a BMX bike, bicycles typically have gears.
In low gear and taken slowly, uphill segments do not tend to feel as long or steep as you might assume when negotiating them in a car. The best part, however, is that for every uphill, there is a downhill. Whether you get to enjoy the downhill straight away or on your way back, they do tend to even out the score.
It’s been about three months since I decided to take the plunge, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome
The next barrier to fall was the showering issue. This problem is solved by the fact that you are free to cycle as fast or slow as you please. If you lived close enough to your place of work to get there on foot, I could just as easily ask, are you going to walk or sprint there at full pelt? You rarely see people sprinting on pavements or darting around corridors at full speed to the point of profusely sweating, so there is absolutely no reason to cycle at a blistering pace either. Just as you don’t need to shower at every destination you walk to, neither is it necessary to do so after cycling at a reasonable and leisurely pace.
On the contrary, I find myself arriving at work refreshed and invigorated. If you can walk places without producing gallons of sweat, then you can cycle there quite comfortably too. A leisurely pace also allows for a relaxing and gradual winding-down process at the end of your day. Getting home does not have to feel like going for gold in the final leg of the tour de France. As for the rain, a good rain poncho will help you cheat the elements in a way that is immensely and somewhat strangely satisfying.
Simply taking the plunge will resolve many of your initial concerns, but doesn’t necessarily address the more persistent problems of the absence of cycle lanes and erratic driving, or does it? This seems to me a little bit like a chicken and egg quandary. Which comes first? Without many cyclists around, substantial investment in cycling-friendly road infrastructures is unlikely, and the fewer cyclists we see while driving our cars, the less familiar we will be the art of driving in a way that ensures their safety.
Ultimately, however, by focusing on the problems, it’s easy to miss quite a substantial set of benefits that are hard to refute. The first and most obvious benefit of cycling to work is the physical energy cost. Instead of purchasing fuel for your car, or a gym membership for that matter, the fuel used in getting you to work on a bike is not only free, but comes directly off your hips, tummy and thighs. The weight-management effect of daily cycling, provided your eating habits remain unchanged, is significant and noticeable in relatively short periods of time.
While the benefits of getting in shape and arriving at work refreshed and invigorating are certainly well worth writing home about, I’d be lying if I said these were the most attractive features of all in my personal experience. I for one could no longer bear the traffic and parking situation currently crippling our nation. Knowing you can get to work on time, every time, without unexpected delays or the frustration of sitting in traffic or driving around looking for a parking space can do wonders for anyone’s stress levels.
So if you have harboured any of these concerns and your workplace is within reasonable distance to render cycling a realistic option for you, then I urge with utmost enthusiasm, consideration of what could turn out to be the best decision you’ve made in years for you, your figure and your well-being.