It’s no secret that a lot of Americans and people around the world alike are living more sedentary lives. We are constantly bombarded by e-mails, instant messages, phone calls, text messages, tweets, and the list goes on. These notifications that come in so frequently, especially when you consider the rest of your workload, can make it very difficult to maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Activity Equals Happiness

One of the things we see in many stressed individuals who are struggling to maintain a balanced lifestyle is the fact that they do not exercise. At all. Oftentimes, they will say, “Well, I simply don’t have the time to exercise – not with all the responsibilities I have at home and at work.” This couldn’t be more of an obvious excuse. The simple truth is that if you really want to maintain a balanced lifestyle, it doesn’t take a lot of effort in the way of exercise. Anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes a day is all it takes to get those endorphins going and get a really high-quality feeling to kick off the day.

Adding Bicycling to Your Repertoire

The simplest way that we have found to introduce activity into people’s lives is to have them learn how to bicycle. Of course, most people already know how to ride a bike – they just haven’t done it in years. The benefits of bicycling are very hard to deny. You will experience increased athleticism and endurance, as well as an improved mood. It’s funny how simply hopping on a bicycle and spinning the wheels for half an hour drastically improves the way you feel – not only about yourself but about others as well.

It doesn’t even take a huge investment to start bicycling. All you need to pick up is a cruiser bike for sale at a local shop or run your town or online. In fact, some of the better deals can be found online, at least when it comes to a high-quality cruiser bike. We recommend cruiser bikes simply because they are the easiest and most user-friendly way to get back into bicycling and get yourself back into a healthy lifestyle.

How To Choose a Bike

When choosing a bike, you need to make sure that it fits. This is the first and foremost priority for you, not the way that you look when you’re on it. Most people tend to commit this fatal flaw of style over substance and find their bikes very uncomfortable to ride. What happens then? They get frustrated, sore, and quit. All of a sudden, they are back to an extremely unbalanced lifestyle.

Instead, take the opposite approach. Make sure that you are going to stick with this lifestyle change by getting a bike that’s extremely comfortable and fits your body type. If you’re not sure which one to get, you can always ask questions of the bicycle specialist that is in your area. They’re there to help, and they are very knowledgeable about the different types of bikes out there. There is no doubt in our minds that they will be a will recommend one that is just perfect for you.

Cycling Tips and Pedestrian Safety Tips

1. Wear a Helmet: Always wear a properly fitted helmet to protect your head in case of an accident. It might be the most crucial piece of safety gear you own.
2. Use Reflective Gear: Ensure you are visible to others on the road by wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially during dawn, dusk, or nighttime rides.
3. Follow Traffic Rules: Bicycles are considered vehicles, so obey traffic signals, signs, and lane markings. Ride with the flow of traffic, not against it.
4. Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for potholes, debris, and other potential hazards. Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you.
5. Signal Your Turns: Use hand signals to indicate your turns to other road users. This communication helps prevent accidents.
6. Regular Maintenance: Keep your bike in good working order. Regularly check the brakes, tires, and chain to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

1. Use Crosswalks: Always cross the street at designated crosswalks or intersections where drivers expect pedestrians.
2. Stay Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially when walking at night. Carry a flashlight if necessary.
3. Avoid Distractions: Stay off your phone and remove headphones when crossing the street. Being alert can help you avoid accidents.
4. Make Eye Contact: Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them to ensure they see you.
5. Follow Signals: Obey pedestrian signals and traffic lights. Don’t cross on a red light, even if it seems safe.
6. Walk Facing Traffic: If there are no sidewalks, walk on the side of the road facing traffic. This makes it easier to see oncoming vehicles and for drivers to see you.

For more detailed pedestrian safety guidelines, you can visit this comprehensive Pedestrian Safety Guide.

By integrating these tips into your daily routine, you can enjoy the benefits of cycling while staying safe and contributing to a safer environment for everyone on the road.

Start Riding!

After you have picked up all your gear, the next step is simple. Start riding! Just hop on and go for a short bike around the neighborhood to get your bearings back. You’ll be surprised at how easily you pick it back up. They were lying when they said that you never forget how to ride a bicycle. It is simply an innate talent that, once learned, will never leave your muscle memory.

Working bicycling back into your life is going to have immense benefits on your overall lifestyle. If you have found yourself overly stressed with work and family commitments, you will soon find that hopping out on the bike is a great way to relieve stress and get all that extra pent-up energy out of your system. It’s going to help you live a much more balanced life. A life that is happier not only for yourself but for your loved ones and coworkers as well. It really is true that the more balanced your life, the more balanced and productive your work can be.