Bicycle and Cycling Route.

Title: Cycling Route.

Location: Lambeth, London.

Tag: okumephuna, lambeth, route.

Copyright: Okumephuna Chukwunwikezarramu.

Story: There is no doubt that biking is fast becoming a preferred medium of transportation for millions today in the developed world including myself. The racing bike above is mine and I have been biking for over 20 years now. I started with children’s bike my beloved dad bought for me and later mountain bike, then hybrid and of recent I have been training on BMX. Bicycling is a highly efficient mode of transportation. Compared to motor vehicles, bicycles have numerous benefits including: using no fuel, creating no air pollution, contributing less to traffic congestion, much quieter, great form of exercise, much easier and less costly to park, very manoeuvrable, and less costly. What a big shame that developing world especially Africa and in particular my country Nigeria is very slow in learning the benefit of this medium of transportation. Having a dedicated cycle route like the one above could be a major step in alleviating a problem of mass transit in developing countries. The physical exercise gained from cycling is generally linked with increased health and well-being. Bicycles are often used by people seeking to improve their fitness and cardiovascular health. In this regard, cycling is especially helpful for those with arthritis of the lower limbs who are unable to pursue sports that cause impact to the knees and other joints. Since cycling can be used for the practical purpose of transportation, there can be less need for self-discipline to exercise. Interestingly, it has been found that despite toning the leg muscles, cycling also tones the buttocks. Cycling while seated is a relatively non-weight bearing exercise that, like swimming, does little to promote bone density. Cycling up and out of the saddle, on the other hand, does a better job by transferring more of the rider's body weight to the legs. However, excessive cycling while standing can cause knee damage. It used to be thought that cycling while standing was less energy efficient, but recent research has proven that this is not true.