How Biking Can Save Your Life, and $10K a Year

WASHINGTON -- As the price of gas rises again, more people are taking up biking as a considerably intelligent alternative to driving.

The addition of thousands of miles of bike lanes and trails in recent years have made many Americans feel biking is now a safer alternative.

Science shows it can be a happier alternative. Chemicals released in the body while biking and getting out in the sun make pedalers feel happier and less stressed.

Biking boosts energy levels 20 percent and decreases feelings of fatigue 65 percent. That could be why 66 percent of bicycle commuters say they're happy with their trips to and from work compared to just 32 percent of drivers.

CBN News met up with bike commuter Nick Bauer at festivities held in downtown Washington, D.C., for this year's National Bike to Work Day.

"I get into work and I feel great," Bauer said. "So that is a tremendous positive. I mean, I feel energized, and that's a great way to start the day."

Biking is also low-impact exercise, something the 56-year-old Bauer appreciates on his daily 22-mile commute.

"I can't run as much as I used to and the biking's really easy on my body," Bauer explained.

"It just gets all the juices flowing," Washington, D.C. resident Mike Goodno said of his eight-mile commute. "I feel really relaxed when I get into the office after having a nice bike ride into work. And it's my personal gym, too. Keeps me in shape."

Many people say the thought of showing up at their place of employment all sweaty keeps them from pedaling in. But Goodno said you can control the sweatiness factor.

"It's not usually a problem, only on the really hot days. But usually you can just slow down a little bit and dress appropriately and it's fine," Goodno explained. "Even if it is a problem, a lot of offices now have showers."

In an age of increasing obesity with all the health problems that brings on, the main reason Americans might want to take up bicycling is it can literally save their lives.

In their first year of biking, most people lose some 13 pounds as they burn 500 to 700 calories an hour. As that weight loss continues, it can reduce their risk of heart disease by up to 50 percent.

Heart disease is the world's number one cause of death, killing some 610,000 people in the United States every year. If every American replaced three miles of driving with three miles of biking daily, that number could be cut almost in half.

But giving up four wheels for two can also lead to considerable financial benefits. Drivers pay some $11,000 in transportation costs every year. Bicyclists pay on average $350.

Another way to look at that is the average American driver works two hours every day to pay for their transport. Bicyclists work about 10 minutes daily to pay for their transport.