Let's be honest. Most of us haven't felt that specific brand of pure, unadulterated freedom since we were ten years old, pedaling furiously toward a friend's house with the chain rattling and the wind trying to peel our eyelids back. It’s a simple sentiment. I like to ride my bicycle. It sounds almost like a nursery rhyme, right? But for millions of adults in 2026, it has become a radical act of rebellion against a world that wants us strapped into ergonomic chairs or idling in traffic jams that feel like they'll never end.
Cycling isn't just about "fitness." That’s a boring way to look at it. It’s about the mechanics of joy.
The Science of Why I Like to Ride My Bicycle
There is a legitimate physiological reason why you feel like a different person after twenty minutes on a bike. It isn't just the "runner’s high," which, let’s face it, is a lot harder to achieve because running kind of hurts. When you’re on a bike, your body performs a miracle of efficiency. Dr. Inigo San-Millán, a renowned sports scientist who has worked with Tour de France winners like Tadej Pogačar, often talks about "Zone 2" training. This is that sweet spot where you're moving, your heart is pumping, but you aren't gasping for air.
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Bicycles are the most efficient machines ever created. Seriously. A human on a bicycle is more energy-efficient than a hawk, a dolphin, or a high-speed train when you measure the energy expended versus the distance covered. When I say i like to ride my bicycle, I’m actually saying I like being part of a perfect physical equation.
Then there's the brain stuff. Your prefrontal cortex—the part of your brain that handles all that stressful "planning" and "worrying"—actually takes a backseat when you're navigating a trail or a bike lane. It's called transient hypofrontality. Basically, your brain goes quiet. The constant pinging of Slack notifications and the dread of your mortgage payments fade into the background. You're just... there. Pedaling.
It Is Not Just About the Lycra
People see "cyclists" and think of middle-aged men in neon spandex who look like they’re trying to win a race that doesn’t exist. That’s a tiny, loud sliver of the world. Most people who say i like to ride my bicycle are just trying to get to work without losing their minds.
Take the "Copenhagenize" movement. In cities like Copenhagen or Amsterdam, cycling isn't a "sport." It’s just how you get the groceries. They don't wear special shoes. They don't have $10,000 carbon fiber frames. They have heavy, upright steel bikes with baskets. There’s a profound dignity in that. It proves that cycling belongs to everyone, from the CEO in a three-piece suit to the student hauling a crate of books.
The E-Bike Revolution Changed the Game
If you haven't tried an e-bike yet, you're missing out on what feels like having "superhero legs." For a long time, purists looked down on electric motors. They called it "cheating." But cheating at what? Life? If an e-bike means you can commute 10 miles to work without arriving drenched in sweat, that’s a win.
Market data from 2024 and 2025 showed e-bike sales actually outpacing traditional bikes in several European markets. It’s easy to see why. They flatten hills. They negate headwinds. They make the phrase i like to ride my bicycle accessible to people with knee injuries, older riders, or anyone who just doesn't want to exert themselves to the point of exhaustion every morning.
The Mental Health Component Nobody Admits
We talk about the physical benefits—the lower blood pressure, the quad strength, the cardiovascular health—but the mental side is where the real magic happens.
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry analyzed data from over 1.2 million people and found that cycling was one of the top activities associated with a lower "mental health burden." It beat out team sports and gym workouts. Why? Maybe it’s the visual stimulation of moving through a landscape rather than staring at a wall on a treadmill. Or maybe it’s the sense of agency. In a world where so much is out of our control, you control the pedals. You choose the path.
Overcoming the "Fear Factor"
I get it. Riding a bike in a city can be terrifying. Paint is not protection. A white line on the road doesn't stop a distracted driver. This is the biggest hurdle for people who want to say i like to ride my bicycle but feel stuck on the sidewalk.
The key is "low-stress" routing. Most beginners make the mistake of riding the same way they drive. Don't do that. Cars take the biggest, loudest, fastest roads. Bikes should take the back alleys, the residential streets, and the dedicated greenways. Apps like Komoot or Strava’s heatmaps are lifesavers here. They show you where other cyclists actually go, which is rarely the main highway.
Maintenance Isn't as Hard as You Think
You don't need to be a mechanic. You really don't. Most bikes fail for three simple reasons:
- The tires are flat.
- The chain is dry and squeaky.
- The brakes are rubbing.
If you can use a floor pump and squirt some lube on a chain once a month, you've solved 90% of potential problems. There's a weird satisfaction in fixing your own machine. It connects you to the ride. When you understand how the derailleur clicks the chain from one cog to the next, the bike stops being a "thing" and starts being an extension of your body.
The Environmental Reality
We can't talk about bicycles without mentioning the planet. It’s cliché, but it’s true. A bicycle is a zero-emission vehicle. But more than that, it’s about the space. One parking spot for a car can hold about ten bicycles. Imagine if our cities weren't 50% asphalt for stationary metal boxes.
When you start riding, you notice things. You notice the smell of the bakery on the corner. You notice which trees are flowering. You notice the temperature drop when you ride under a bridge. You become a participant in your environment rather than a spectator behind a windshield.
Gear You Actually Need (and Gear You Don't)
Forget the fancy stuff for a second. If you're starting out, you need:
- A helmet that actually fits. Don't buy a used one; you don't know if it's been crashed.
- Decent lights. Even in the daytime, a flashing rear light makes you significantly more visible to drivers.
- A U-lock. Cable locks are basically just "gift wrap" for bike thieves. Use a solid steel U-lock.
You don't need:
- Carbon fiber bottle cages.
- Aerodynamic jerseys.
- A computer that tracks your "watts." (Unless you're training for the Olympics, just enjoy the view).
Why We Should All Keep Pedaling
The world is getting louder and faster. Everything is "on-demand" and "instant." The bicycle is the ultimate slow-down tool. It forces you to be present. You can't scroll through TikTok while you're riding (well, you shouldn't). You are forced into a state of focus.
There’s a reason that song by Queen is so iconic. I like to ride my bicycle is a declaration of independence. It's the simplest way to reclaim your time, your health, and your sanity. Whether it's a beach cruiser, a gravel bike, or a rusty mountain bike from the 90s, the best bike in the world is the one you actually ride.
Practical Steps to Get Back on the Saddle
If you're ready to start but haven't touched a bike in years, don't overthink it.
First, check your local bike shop. Avoid the "big box" stores if you can; those bikes are often assembled by people who aren't mechanics and can be genuinely unsafe. A used bike from a reputable shop is always better than a shiny new one from a department store.
Second, find a "bike buddy." Everything is less intimidating when you're doing it with someone else.
Third, start small. Ride to the coffee shop. Ride around the block. You don't need to do a century (100 miles) on your first day. Just move.
The goal isn't to become a "cyclist." The goal is just to be someone who can say i like to ride my bicycle and actually mean it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your tires: If your bike has been sitting in the garage, the rubber might be "dry rotted." Give them a squeeze. If they're cracked or won't hold air, spend the $20 on new tubes and tires.
- Map a "Quiet Route": Use Google Maps but toggle the "Cycling" layer. Look for the solid dark green lines—those are trails away from cars.
- The 10-Minute Rule: Commit to riding for just ten minutes. Usually, once you're out there, you'll want to keep going. If not, at least you got some fresh air.
- Learn to "ABC": Before every ride, check Air, Brakes, and Chain. It takes thirty seconds and prevents 99% of roadside disasters.