May is National Bike Month and National Bike To Work Day is the third Friday in May. Bike-related events happen from coast to coast throughout the entire month! National Bike Month was actually established by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 and it gives people the chance to experience the many benefits of biking. More people might even start biking regularly!
While we are celebrating National Bike To Work Day on May 17th, 2019, we encourage people to get those pedals moving anywhere they desire. People ride bikes to reduce their carbon footprint, to get a cardiovascular workout, or they just ride for fun with the family. Biking is a healthy alternative to driving and more people should give it a shot. In fact, the number of American bicycle commuters grew by more than 47% from the year 2000 to 2011.
How To Ride
Bicycles are designed to have your body be in a position for smooth aerodynamic movement. You should not feel discomfort in your neck, back, knees, or wrists; if you do then you probably need to adjust the seat placement, seat height, or handlebar height. You can visit a bike shop for helpful tips on how to properly adjust your bicycle.
Important Tip #1: You should never be leaning forward so that all of your weight is resting on the handlebars. It is integral to keep your back straight and shoulders down to keep you from hunching over. Sit back in your seat to avoid pressure on your wrists.
When you are pedaling, the extended leg should be pretty straight, but it should have a subtle bend. You want to avoid locking your kneecap, so lower the seat if this is the case. You also want to ensure that your seat isn’t too far forward or too far back. Your kneecap should be directly over the ball of your foot. Additionally, make sure you aren’t reaching too far for the handlebars. Your back should be at a 45-degree angle to avoid neck, shoulder, and wrist discomfort.
Important Tip #2: Do not pedal in a way that your knees go out to the sides. Not only is this bad for your hips and knees, but it also means that you are not engaging your inner thighs, which you should be using for proper cycling.
We hope you get on two wheels and pedal your heart out on your way to work tomorrow! If you can’t bike to work, try to go on a bike ride this weekend.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
