March 5, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 13 Bicycle riding carries multiple health benefits Bicycles have been around for more than a century. Many historians once believed that carriage makers Pierre and Ernest Michaux, a father and his son, respectively, were responsible for the first bicycle. But some historians now say there is evidence that bicycles and similar vehicles existed before the 1860s. Regardless, the design of bicycles and the enjoyment of riding them have continued throughout their history. Bicycle riding has many benefits, includ- ing promoting health. A bicycle is also an eco-conscious mode of transportation. Just who relies on a bike as a primary mode of transportation varies, but millions of people worldwide take to bicycles for dif- ferent purposes. There is no clear method of determining how many people ride bikes. However, a survey sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- istration and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics sheds some light on bike use. It is estimated that at least 27.3 percent of the U.S. population rode a bicycle during the summer of 2002, the most recent year for which information is available. Individuals have many different reasons for riding bicycles, and here are a few of the many benefits of taking to the streets atop a bicycle. Bicycles have virtually no carbon foot- print. This method of transportation is one of the most efficient ever invented. The use of bikes reduces air pollution/greenhouse gas emissions and reduces road wear. Bicy- cles also make virtually no noise, so they are ideal for those who want to prevent noise pollution. Riding a bicycle is also a great start to implementing a healthier lifestyle. Going bike riding puts less stress on the joints than running. It is also a faster mode of transport than walking. Many people find that riding a bicycle can be a mood- booster. Regular cycling is known to have many health benefits, including toning muscles, improving cardiovascular health, improving bone mass, and helping to burn calories, which can shed pounds. NutriS- trategy, a nutrition and fitness organiza- tion, says that a 130-pound person burns approximately 236 calories per hour while leisurely cycling, 472 calories for moder- ately paced cycling, and 708 calories per hour for race cycling. A 180-pound person will burn 327 calories for leisurely cycling, 654 for moderately paced cycling, and 981 for race cycling. Bicycles also take up less space than other modes of transport. That means everyone from apartment-dwellers to owners of large homes have the space to store a bicycle. In terms of parking a bicy- cle or keeping it chained somewhere, the smaller profile means they can be kept in many places and there is no need to hunt for a parking spot. Furthermore, bicycles on roadways also take up less space, which can reduce the amount of traffic conges- tion. Additionally, should a traffic jam form, it is easier to change routes on a bicycle than it is in an automobile. It’s easy to see just how many benefits there are to bicycle riding -- and there are still numerous more benefits that can be discovered.