The Positive Side-Effects of Bicycling

Better health. Cleaner environment. Cheap transportation. Less congestion. These are all benefits of bicycling that most people already know about. But before you get on a bicycle check out the positive side-effects in the not-so-fine print right here:

Riding up the corporate ladder
Reliability, perseverance and self-motivation are traits that employers look for. But how can you show your boss that you have the right stuff? Well, if you are a bicycle commuter you probably already are.

People who bicycle to work get noticed. They may receive a little ribbing from their peers about arriving at work on two wheels instead of four, but they may also be gaining points with their higher ups.

When co-workers say things like, "Are you nuts?" or "I could never do that." listen to what they are really saying. Isn't it really, "Wow is he in shape."

Or, "Look at her, rain or shine she is always on time and she's riding a bike."

Riding your bike may just put you ahead of the pack and ride you into a better job.

The Family that plays together
Kids want fun. You want cheap. The kids want speed and excitement. You want convenient and educational. Bicycling can satisfy all of the above and then some.

Bicycling builds family ties. When you ride together there are no distractions like phones, televisions or computers to keep you from talking. Bicycling teaches teamwork. On a family ride, everyone must allow for each family member's strengths and weaknesses. Achieving family bicycling goals fosters a sense of belonging and purpose.

Bicycling teaches self-reliance. By riding as a family you can teach your children that they can get places -- on their own -- quickly, cheaply and without polluting the environment.

Marriage counseling on two wheels
Job demands and family responsibilities can put a lot of stress on a marriage. And quality time together is a rare commodity for most couples. A bicycle ride together is the ultimate in quality time. You may only have time for a quick ride during lunch or (if you can find a baby-sitter) an hour ride after dinner. But the time and money you spend will be well worth it.

Add a little bit of fresh air and exercise. Subtract work pressures. And cancel out having to answer the question, "Why?" twenty times an hour. It is amazing how quickly you can remember all of the reasons you got married in the first place.

Surely the price of a couple of bikes and a baby-sitter is less than a marriage counselor!

Cure wanderlust
Most of us want to get away from it all now and then. But all too often, we just don't have the time or the money to get far enough away from our everyday lives to make a difference.

Unless, of course, you are traveling by bicycle.
When you travel by bicycle you are exploring the minute you leave your front door. Your best route by bicycle is seldom your best route by car. Thus, you will likely use roads -- right in your own neighborhood -- that you have never been on before. Every corner you turn becomes a new adventure. At bicycle speed you will see, hear and feel things that you have never experienced before.

Bicycling will give you a whole new way of looking at things and may just cure your wanderlust.

Discover the other positive side-effects of bicycling -- ride!

Peter Flucke is the president of WE BIKE, a Green Bay company consulting in the areas of engineering, education and enforcement.