Looking for something fun to do outside? Want to take advantage of the nice weather? A bike ride might be just what you’re looking for. In addition to enjoying some fresh air, biking has a number of health benefits. Biking is a low impact workout and causes less strain and injuries than many other forms of exercise (BetterHealth.gov) 1. Biking is also a good way to build up stamina and strength, increased muscle strength and flexibility, improved posture and coordination, strengthened bones, decreased stress levels, and even reduced anxiety and depression (BetterHealth.gov) 1.
On top of these health benefits, biking is a great activity to do with friends while still social distancing and following COVID guidelines. Nice places to bike near campus include the Boulware trail, Mattis park, and Crystal Lake park.
If you don’t have a bike on campus, there’s no need to worry! You can rent a bike across campus through Veo, the bike share company. All you need is your smartphone and the Veo app, available for free download on the app store. Veo bikes are located all around campus and in the community. You just simply open the app and start your ride. Once your ride ends, you can leave the bicycle at your destination (preferably a bike rack) and continue on with your day!
As the weather is getting better for cycling, you should make sure that your bicycle is in proper working condition. If your bicycle needs repair or maintenance after a long time in storage, you should visit the Campus Bicycle Center at 51 E. Gregory Dr., Champaign. Our next blog post will be about bicycle maintenance and how to prepare your bicycle for a ride for spring and summer weather. We will also be posting a video series next week on basic maintenance for your bicycle on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Remember above all else to register your bicycle, bike safely, paying attention to traffic laws, and wearing a helmet. If you have any questions regarding your bike, feel free to reach out at bike@illinois.edu.
1 - Cycling - Health Benefits. Better Health. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cycling-health-benefits. Accessed 4 March 2021.
Cassandra May
gmcbug22@gmail.com
