Look at them. A person riding a bicycle looks like they’ve cracked a secret code that the rest of us, stuck in gridlock, haven't quite figured out yet. It’s a rhythmic, almost hypnotic motion. The legs churn, the wheels spin, and suddenly, the physics of a 200-pound human being propelled by a 20-pound aluminum frame starts to make total sense. It’s efficient. It’s quiet. Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle that we ever decided sitting in a metal box for two hours a day was a better idea.
But biking isn't just about getting from point A to point B without burning gas. It’s deeper. When you see a person riding a bicycle, you’re looking at someone engaging in one of the few activities that scales perfectly with human biology.
The Actual Science of the Spin
We need to talk about the "Cyclist's High." People think it’s just endorphins, but researchers at the University of Oxford and other institutions have pointed toward endocannabinoids. These are naturally occurring chemicals in your body that are basically cousins to the stuff in cannabis. They hit the bloodstream during steady-state aerobic exercise. That’s why a person riding a bicycle often looks so incredibly zen, even if they’re climbing a 10% grade in the rain.
The biomechanics are fascinatingly weird. When you walk, you waste a lot of energy moving your center of gravity up and down. Bicycling fixes that. By keeping your torso relatively still and using your legs to drive a circular motion, you become the most energy-efficient creature on the planet. Even more than a soaring albatross. That’s not hyperbole; it’s a data point often cited by scientific journals comparing metabolic rates across species.
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Why Most People Get Commuting Wrong
People worry about the sweat. "I can’t be that person riding a bicycle to the office because I'll need a shower."
Actually, the rise of "ebike" technology has changed the math. If you’re on a pedal-assist bike, you’re exerting about as much effort as a brisk walk. You get the fresh air, you skip the parking fee, and you arrive at your desk with your heart rate barely elevated. It’s a lifestyle shift that many in European cities like Utrecht or Copenhagen have mastered, while North Americans are still largely catching up to the idea that a bike is a tool, not just a toy.
Safety is the other big hurdle. Let's be real: cars are heavy. A person riding a bicycle is vulnerable. However, statistics from organizations like PeopleForBikes suggest that "safety in numbers" is a real phenomenon. The more cyclists there are on the road, the more drivers expect them, and the lower the accident rate becomes per capita. It’s a bit of a catch-22, but we’re seeing the tipping point in cities like Paris, which has undergone a massive cycling revolution in just the last few years.
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The Gear Trap
Don’t buy the $10,000 carbon fiber frame. Seriously.
If you want to be a person riding a bicycle for health or fun, the most important thing is fit. A $500 bike that fits your inseam and reach perfectly will always be better than a pro-level racing machine that’s two sizes too small. Most shops use a basic sizing chart, but if you’re serious, get a "professional fit." They’ll measure your sit bones, your knee angle at the bottom of the pedal stroke, and your reach. It prevents the chronic lower back pain that makes people quit after three weeks.
- Tires: Wider is usually better for comfort.
- Lights: Use them during the day, not just at night.
- Helmets: MIPS technology is the gold standard for brain protection now.
- Pedals: You don't need to "clip in" with special shoes unless you're racing. Flat pedals are fine.
It’s Not Just Cardio
Most people think of biking as a way to burn calories. It is. You can burn anywhere from 400 to 1,000 calories an hour depending on how hard you’re pushing. But the mental health benefits are what keep people in the saddle for decades.
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There’s a concept in psychology called "flow." It’s that state where you’re so involved in an activity that time seems to disappear. A person riding a bicycle through a winding park path or a quiet country road enters flow almost instantly. You have to be present. You’re scanning the road for glass, feeling the wind direction, and shifting gears to match the incline. You can't really doomscroll on your phone while you're pedaling. It’s a forced digital detox.
What Actually Happens to Your Body?
If you start riding regularly, your resting heart rate drops. Your "stroke volume"—the amount of blood your heart pumps with each beat—increases. Your lungs get better at extracting oxygen. But the real secret is the low-impact nature of it. Unlike running, which pounds your knees and ankles, cycling is smooth. It’s why you see 80-year-olds in spandex crushing 40-mile rides. Their joints aren't taking the hit.
However, it isn't perfect. If you don't cross-train, you can end up with tight hip flexors and a weak core. A person riding a bicycle needs to stretch. Spend five minutes on your hamstrings and psoas after a ride. Your future self will thank you.
Taking the First Step
If you're looking to get started, don't overthink it. You don't need the specialized clothes or the fancy GPS computer.
- Find a local bike co-op. They usually have refurbished bikes that are high quality and affordable.
- Map a "low-stress" route. Don't just follow the way you drive. Use Google Maps' cycling layer to find neighborhood streets or dedicated paths.
- Check your tires. Most people ride with their tires way too soft. Check the sidewall for the PSI range and get a floor pump with a gauge.
- Just go for ten minutes. You don't need a "workout." Just ride to the coffee shop.
The goal isn't to become a professional athlete. The goal is just to be that person riding a bicycle, enjoying the fact that for a few minutes, you’re moving through the world under your own power, feeling the temperature change as you dip into a valley, and seeing the world at exactly the speed it was meant to be seen. It's basically the best version of yourself on two wheels.