Dr. James Surrell, Journal columnist

Now that we are well into our spring season, we are now seeing more and more bike riders in our wonderful Upper Peninsula. Let us again review the many benefits that bicycle riding can offer to so many of us.

Here is a brief review of the many health benefits of bike riding. Clearly, bike riding is good for your heart. It is associated with improved cardiovascular fitness, as well as with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease. Further, bicycling is good for your muscles. Riding a bike is great for toning and building your muscles, especially in the lower half of the body, including your calves, and your thigh muscles. It is also a great low-impact form of exercise for those with joint conditions or injuries to the legs or hips, which might keep them from being active. Of course, riding a bike, along with a proper diet, can also help you lose weight. Bike riding also has the added benefit of increasing your metabolism, even after the ride is over.

Bicycling is good for your coordination and physical activity. Of course, by moving both your legs up and down and moving your feet around in circles while steering with both your arms is great exercise. It is a great way for us to develop and maintain our needed muscle and joint coordination skills. As with other low impact exercises and healthy lifestyle choices, it has also been proven that riding a bike can improve your life expectancy. Of course, with an increased life span you will be able to spend more enjoyable time with your wonderful family and friends.

Here are just two more additional benefits of bike riding. (1) It has been proven that bicycle riding, as with nearly all exercise programs, is good for your mental health. Riding a bike has been linked to decreasing stress levels and also can help to eliminate feelings of depression and to also improve one’s self-esteem. (2) Studies also tell us that cycling is good for our immune system. Therefore, with bike riding helping us to strengthen our immune system, this can also help to protect us from illness.

Wearing a quality helmet whenever riding a bicycle is extremely important. Every person riding any bike should always wear a quality well fitted bicycle helmet. Here is the obvious reason why bike helmets are so important. Tragically, about two-thirds of the bicycle accident deaths and one-third of the injuries involve the head of the bike rider. Wearing a properly fitted quality bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury to bike riders by as much as 85 percent. Never ride a bike without a helmet!

Bike Paths – Today, bike paths and bike lanes on roads are commonly found. Be aware of the following safety information. Bike safety research has found that wide streets with parked cars and no bike lanes are by far the most dangerous for bicycle riders. Compared to no bike lane roads, streets with bike lanes had injury rates at least 50 percent lower. One study showed a 90 percent bike injury reduction with bike lanes.

Bottom line – If you choose to enjoy the many healthful benefits of bicycling, never, ever ride without a bike helmet. Also, be sure to use available bike paths and follow the safety guidelines for use of these bike paths and lanes. Of course, if you have any exercise, coordination, or other health issues, be sure to check with your health care provider before starting a personal bike riding program.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books. Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.