In the late 19th century, the bicycle was invented. It transformed societies as it represented a revolutionary technology that changed the world, and its impact can be compared to the smartphone of our time. Within a few years, many people abandoned expensive horses and carriages in favor of the bicycle, which became the fastest means of transportation on the roads thanks to its elegant design, light weight, reasonable price, and ease of maintenance.
Over time, people realized that the "bicycle revolution" was not limited to the world of transportation alone, but rather extended its benefits to encompass multiple aspects that benefit everyone. Bicycles became the preferred green means of transportation for many, given their effective role in reducing carbon emissions and supporting the environment, in addition to their health and economic benefits.
Health Benefits
Health experts recommend engaging in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily, and you can achieve this by cycling. It's a sport suitable for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level, and has numerous health benefits, including: Strengthening the body's muscles, especially the legs, improving cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, as well as maintaining a healthy weight.
Cycling also improves your mental and emotional well-being, helping to reduce stress and improve your mood due to lower anxiety levels, the release of brain chemicals that make you feel happy, and improved sleep quality, all while reducing the risk of depression.
Community benefits
More bicycles mean fewer cars, which can lead to a safer road environment. Children can benefit from slower, less dangerous traffic to ride their bikes, too.
Creating shared cycling and pedestrian facilities creates benefits for pedestrians and people with disabilities, improves road crossings, and enables social interaction and a greater sense of connection to the local community.
Environmental benefits
The environment is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this green, pollution-free activity. Using a bicycle instead of a car reduces reliance on fossil fuels, thus minimizing carbon emissions. Carbon dioxide accounts for approximately 95 to 99% of global warming emissions from cars, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Bicycles reduce the need to manufacture and maintain cars, and cycling also preserves roads and frees up parking spaces, which can be converted into urban parks.
Employers
Even business owners and managers benefit from employees' reliance on bicycles to commute to work. This is evidenced by a study conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, which found that employees and workers who commute by bicycle are less likely to take sick leave than their colleagues who use cars or public transportation.
The research team analyzed self-reported data from 28,000 local government workers over a one-year period. Comparing the results with commuting by car or public transport, cycling 61 kilometers per week was associated with an 8% to 12% lower incidence of sick leave, and an 18% lower likelihood of long-term sick leave, lasting at least 10 days.
This study is consistent with the results of previous research, which has confirmed that cycling is one of the best sports practices for maintaining human health and activity, not only physically but also mentally, as it enhances creative thinking, productivity, and efficiency.
All of these reasons make you less likely to take sick leave and more efficient and proactive in your work, which benefits your career. Perhaps a bicycle could even earn you the title of "ideal employee," all of which is in the best interest of your employer.
The Arab world
Interest in cycling has begun to grow in the Arab world, as a result of spreading awareness of the benefits of cycling and encouraging its use. Cycling has become a viable option in a number of countries following the construction of safe, dedicated lanes within cities.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we find the Saudi Cycling Federation, which aims to encourage the community to practice cycling, encourage youth to engage in physical activity and maintain good health, and develop and implement programs suitable for cyclists and athletes to compete globally.
The Federation aims to spread cycling throughout the Kingdom by 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, by establishing several cycling paths across the Kingdom, including the Riyadh, Jeddah, and Abha paths.
In addition, the Kingdom plans to create new bicycle paths as part of its sustainable transportation plan within the 2034 World Cup host cities, and to provide a healthy and environmentally friendly means of transportation around the stadiums.
In green Tunisia, the country's natural beauty and Mediterranean climate have perhaps contributed to the Tunisian people's adoption of cycling for several decades. Bicycles have become a social phenomenon, visible daily on the streets and at the entrances of schools and universities, and there has been a growing call from several Tunisian associations for the use of bicycles and the designation of dedicated bicycle lanes.
The shift to bicycles is one of the most important factors contributing to the development of sustainable cities. Therefore, it is important to promote the culture of cycling and hold numerous bicycle-related events and competitions so that it becomes a popular and sustainable mode of transportation in the near future.
