Bicyclists know that riding brings happiness and joy. FABB believes that the time is now to spread those feelings to help the larger Fairfax County community.
The past few years have been tough on everyone. The Covid pandemic and accompanying isolation from closings and social distancing plus the subsequent shortages and rising cost of living have taken a toll physically, mentally, financially, and many other ways. In our experience, cyclists have weathered the storm pretty well. So, we are inviting riders to join FABB and help spread the word about the good that comes from bicycling by sharing this blog or just talking to a neighbor or co-worker you think might appreciate the information.
Bicycling’s Benefits
Ask any cyclists why they ride and the answer usually will include one or more of the benefits of exercise, recreation, sociability, and being part of a larger community. Their response almost certainly will mention something about feeling more alive and having their spirits lifted.
Health: Biking, even with a pedal-assist e-bike, is vigorous enough to get your heart pumping, improve blood- and oxygen-flow to the brain, and build muscle. This contribution to your physical fitness will gain, in turn, the associated physical and mental health benefits from lower stress, anxiety, and even depression. Study after study shows a strong correlation between exercise and improved mental health as well as better memory, reasoning, and planning.
People who bike to work know that riding removes much of the frustrations of commuting. In a car, a bus, or the Metro, there is always a chance of unexpected, frustrating delays. A good bike route and the right clothing allow bike commuters to get to work on time and in good spirits, rain or shine. In addition, biking is so fun, some bike commuters even look for ways to take the long way home! It is unlikely you know anyone who drives a car to work who would make that claim.
We also want to spread the joy to our children. FABB has long advocated for school bicycling programs, which are beneficial for student health and well-being along with contributing to academic success and increased active life styles outside of the classroom. The time for advocacy for Safe Routes to School programs and protect bike lanes around schools is now because of pending increases in federal funding.
Recreation and Sociability. Cycling is immensely accessible to people of all ages and abilities and provides great options for getting out and moving around in the world. The best recreation is restorative. Even if riding leaves you feeling exhausted, it makes you feel better physically and mentally, especially after the good night’s sleep—essential to our wellbeing—that usually follows a ride.
Many of our best times on a bike involve group rides with friends and like-minded people. FABB regularly sponsors or supports social rides, such as the Tour de Mount Vernon and Tour de Hunter Mill, to encourage more people to ride. The companionship and support—and maybe a little competition—in a group ride help to multiply the happiness bicycling can bring.
Solo rides also are wonderful. There are few things as nice as a quiet morning ride, where, taking time for yourself, you can see the world up close, engage with it, and appreciate everything about it. The satisfaction from moving yourself about under your own power and simply completing some errands or achieving some mileage and speed goals is pretty great, too.
Again, FABB wants to make these feelings more widespread, and, in addition to social rides, we have plans to expand our advocacy for more trails and bike lanes, bike parking at popular destinations, and other encouragement events such as Bike to Work Day and Bike to Market Week.
FABB Board Member advocating for Safe Routes to School.
Meaning. In its efforts to make bicycling better, FABB believes that biking allows us to be part of something larger than ourselves. We know from our experience that having a greater purpose in our lives provides meaning and happiness.
- Simply being part of the biking community provides opportunities, whether as part of FABB, a local bike club, or as a solo rider, to be helpful to others, especially new riders.
- Bicycling also allows us to make meaningful contributions social and charity rides where we can give back or pay it forward by doing something we love.
- In addition, your biking benefits those who don’t bike, including future generations, because any time you substitute a bike ride for a motor vehicle trip, you are reducing pollution and congestion, improving the environment, and fighting climate change.
- As biking advocate, your work for safe streets and protected infrastructure can literally be a lifesaver for riders, walkers, and other vulnerable road users.
In short, biking makes us happy and makes our communities better places to live.
Please support FABB during our Annual Appeal by making a gift here. Between 5 and 15 December, your gift will be doubled thanks to a generous match offer of up to $3,000.
As a donor member, you will be part of a larger community of citizens spreading the word about how awesome riding can be and engaging with government and other institutions to make bicycling better in Fairfax County.
