Bike in the city - 9 reasons why you should!

1.  You avoid city traffic jams

Everyone knows all too well the frustration of trying to get through the urban jungle during rush hour.  What can you do to bypass traffic jams and get to your destination without undue stress, and even save time? You've probably guessed that the answer is. bicycle! Bike paths, as a rule (but who knows, maybe soon) don't jam. Imagine, instead of getting stuck and annoyed at the turtle pace, you just get on your bike and ride ahead. You'll avoid the drawn-out string of cars, and you'll get to work or home faster than by car. What will you use this saved time for? How about postponing your alarm clock?

2.  Parking space is almost everywhere.... AND it's free!

Did you know that one parking space for a car holds 8 to 10 bicycles? You won't pin your car to a lamppost, or to a street sign or a piece of guardrail. You can leave your bike practically anywhere, even at the very door of your workplace. And you don't have to pay for it. Remember that a good fastener is worth investing in.

3. You save money

Fuel prices in recent times may have really motivated people to swap their car for a bicycle, or at least public transportation. As an example, the Danes, who in the 1970s, due to the oil embargo imposed on Europe and systemic restrictions on travel in private cars, switched en masse to bicycles and no longer looked back.  Cycling is one of the cheapest ways to get around town. You don't have to refuel or pay for insurance. Rather, a bicycle is a one-time expense in daily use. And even this one sum is usually (bike freaks, we salute you!) much lower than the one you spend on buying a car. Later on, you can take care of the bike yourself, or spend really small amounts on seasonal maintenance or minor repairs.

4.  Freedom of movement

You can get literally anywhere by bicycle. It is one of the few means of transportation that gives you the opportunity to shuffle "door to door". Neither a streetcar nor a bus or a car allows you to get as close to your destination as a bicycle. This is especially important in the centers of large cities, where restrictions are imposed on cars. Being a cyclist, you can decide at any time whether to take side streets, a boulevard by the river, a charming road through a park, or the main route through the city. A cyclist can always bring his vehicle up the stairs, carry it through the station, cross a narrow bridge, an underground pedestrian tunnel and overcome other elements of urban infrastructure inaccessible to car drivers. The bicycle is more flexible - it follows where the owner's imagination goes!

5. Daily dose of exercise and health

Make a gift to your body. On your way to the office, to meet friends or to the store, you provide yourself with an extra dose of exercise and keep yourself in shape. Regular cycling improves fitness, slims your figure and lowers blood pressure. In addition, it supports the heart and the entire circulatory system.  Thus, it helps avoid such dangerous and common diseases as atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. It also prevents the formation of varicose veins and blood clots. When cycling, many muscle groups are stimulated. Calves, thighs, buttocks are strengthened, but also the muscles of the arms and abdomen - especially the deep muscles that are responsible for supporting the spine. Therefore, the effect of regular rides can be: better posture and figure, increased strength and endurance, and less frequent back pain. 

It is ideal for people who spend most of their day sitting at a desk. Studies have also shown that, contrary to appearances, cyclists traveling on city streets do not inhale more exhaust fumes than drivers. Smog is heavy and accumulates near the surface, which is where the car's air intake is located. In addition, during exercise, the body detoxifies faster and absorbs less harmful substances, especially compared to a person sitting motionless in a car. Link to research and article.

6. You improve your mood and mental condition

People who exercise regularly enjoy much better mental health than those who are physically inactive. That's what a study involving 1.2 million people conducted by researchers at Yale University found.  Participants in the study determined how many times in a 30-day period they felt unwell , due to stress, depression or emotional problems. They were also asked how often they exercised in the past 30 days, before or after work, and for how long. Those who exercised regularly felt mentally unwell for an average of 35 days per year. Those who were inactive felt bad for an average of 53 days a year (up 18 days). One of the most beneficial activities in this regard turned out to be cycling, which additionally provides the most enjoyment of all modes of transportation. 

No wonder, after all, cycling is a great form of leisure. All you have to do is go on a bicycle tour of your city or a ride to the park with friends to observe significant relaxation and oxygenation in yourself. Perhaps it is by cycling that you can more easily cope with daily stress and ensure a healthy sleep?

The benefits of cycling, they also considered at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. You can read about the study here. It was proven that regular use of the unicycle has a positive effect on the functioning of the so-called white matter in the brain, which is responsible for the proper conduction of nerve impulses. Thus, regular pedaling speeds up the transmission of information between neurons, and consequently increases the ability to learn and concentrate. The effects of regular use of this mode of transportation also include increased brain efficiency and raising the level of BDNF protein in the brain, as demonstrated by researchers from Taiwan link . This is about a substance secreted by neurons that slows down the aging process and reduces problems associated with neurological diseases. High levels of BDNF improve mood, memory and so-called cognitive intelligence - the ability to make decisions in uncertain and unpredictable situations. It also reduces the risk of depression and anxiety disorders.

7. We have no planet B

Cycling is on average 13 times less harmful to the environment than driving a passenger car. This is the relationship according to calculations by the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF). In the case of bicycles, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, taking into account, among other things, the entire "life cycle" of the equipment, are 21 grams per person for every kilometer traveled. In the case of a passenger car, CO2 emissions average as much as 271 grams per kilometer traveled (on a per-passenger basis).

In addition, the EFC report calculated that switching from a car to a bicycle when commuting to work (assuming 4 rides per week, 4 kilometers each way), would reduce carbon dioxide emissions, by as much as 750 kg per year, and save about 380 liters of fuel. And, of course, money ;)

8. You fit in with the trends

In the field of recreational sports, the years 2020 and 2021 were definitely marked by bicycles. Even every second Pole rides a bicycle regardless of the season, and if the circumstances are favorable, they are eager to choose this form of activity. Such conclusions were obtained from a survey conducted by the SW Research Agency for the Romet Group. The bicycle has become an important element of modern urban culture. Practically everyone gets on a bicycle, regardless of age, gender or physical condition. For many, it is the primary means of transportation almost all year round.

The reasons for the revolution in the attitude of Poles to this activity should be seen primarily in the fashion for a healthy lifestyle.  Cycling means living in harmony with nature and protecting the environment. As environmental awareness has grown, many people have begun to look for greener alternatives to various aspects of life. For example, getting around the city every day. And this is where the bicycle has gained exceptional popularity, which continues and there is no indication that it will decrease.

A few years ago, mountain bikes and high-performance riding mainly reigned supreme. Nowadays we can see that the most popular among bicycles are urban bikes of the Dutch type. This fashion, arrived in Poland from the West and for some time now, the bicycle is treated as a lifestyle, not just a sport. And what kind of bicycle do you ride?

Urban Bicycles

Don't own your unicycle? Nothing lost! City bicycles are the solution. You can find the possibility of renting them in more than 70 cities in Poland. The development of society's needs has caused Polish city bike systems to introduce more and more types of these unicycles. In addition to standard ones, we can find in many cities children's bicycles, handbikes, folding bicycles, tandem bicycles, electric bicycles, cargo bicycles, tricycles, or bicycles with seats for the youngest. This development of the system already allows almost all residents to use it. 

The urban bicycle system has many advantages, both for the city or municipality and the users. Urban bicycles are a response to social demand, promote a healthy lifestyle and fit in with prevailing trends, in addition to integrating residents. Proof of the popularity of unicycles are, among others, bicycle initiatives organized together with Activy in Gdańsk, Sopot and Radom :) The competitions have been allowing residents of these cities to have fun together for several editions now, and the number of participants continues to grow.

The largest and most extensive urban bicycle system in Poland is in Warsaw. More than half of the residents there are registered users of the city bicycle system. This year, more than 55 kilometers of bicycle paths have been added in Warsaw, and there is also an unusually large number of bicycle stations compared to other cities. The second city boasting a highly popular urban bicycle system is Wrocław, which has become famous for having the longest urban bicycle riding season. It is the only city in Poland where city bikes are used from January to December. This is influenced by the favorable meteorological situation for cyclists.

Did we convince you?

Bike as the main means of transportation around the city is a great choice. For some, cycling is a passion, for others it is an additional means of transportation. If we have the opportunity, we should switch from the car to the bicycle. Cycling has only positive effects - for the environment and for our health. We will feel better, we will save money, we will not pollute the environment, and more than once we will save time in the city center. We encourage you to use this unique means of transportation.