Those who want to live more consciously can make great leaps by cycling a little more often. In fact, it is the ideal way to get a boost both physically and mentally.
If you take to the streets of Belgium on the weekend, every hundred meters you will see a phenomenon you will not encounter anywhere in the world: cycling tourists. Groups of cyclists of all ages heading out together and exploring the farthest reaches of the country. They do this because it is fun to spend time with friends, but also for another reason: cycling is healthy.
To use a metaphor that every Belgian understands: if you cycle 20 kilometers every week, you burn enough energy to handle 11 packs of French fries. No wonder Remco Evenepoel has to eat continuously during the Tour de France - accounting for 3,492 kilometers of cycling!
Take the bike and live longer
So it feels strange that we jump on our bikes en masse on weekends, but take the car during the week. After all, experts say it's healthier to exercise a little every day than to go into the red on a workout once a week. The World Health Organization puts its faith in bicycles as a mode of transportation for a reason:
'Cycling can fight overweight and reduce physical inactivity, which causes one million deaths per year in the European Region. Active transport can also help to reduce air pollution that claims more than half a million deaths every year.'
Research by the WHO and the Economic Commission for Europe shows that cycling for 20 minutes every day can reduce your risk of death by 10 percent. In addition, you would also be 10 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease and 30 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Those who bike to work are also 30 percent less likely to die from cancer.
Overall, 1,294 premature deaths are avoided each year in Belgium because we cycle so much - and that could rise if we get even more people on bikes.
More focus
Boosting your health by cycling goes beyond burning a few kilocalories. As you spend more time outdoors, scientists say, you increase your problem-solving skills and are better able to handle tasks that require some focus. So not only are you healthier physically, but mentally as well!
By avoiding the daily traffic jam, you also instantly get rid of a lot of stress. In fact, more than 1 in 7 Belgians say they are stressed behind the wheel. This is according to a survey by La Fondation Vinci Autoroutes in 11 countries - none of which scores as high as Belgium.
The combination of those physical and mental effects obviously has an impact. Those who exercise more are less sick. Especially for those who do sedentary work, there is a huge correlation with sick leave when you do or do not bike to work. Athletic employees are absent an average of 6 fewer days a year than those who do not exercise. In addition, they are also more productive and happier.
Other benefits?
And that's not all! Bike leasing is not only good for your health! Want to find out more? Then read the blog articles below about the financial, ecological and functional benefits!
The benefits of bicycle leasing!
Check out these blog articles on the other benefits of bike leasing:
💶 Financial: bike leasing is good for your wallet
🌱 Ecological: bicycle leasing and the green benefits
🕓 Functional: less stress and faster from A-Z
Want to learn more about how to get a healthy body as well as a healthy mind by leasing a bicycle?
Contact one of our employees without obligation. Then we will be happy to explain over a coffee and 2 speculoos.
