Bicycle Network: Prevention

Valentine's Day - makes the heart beat faster?

For those who rode to work this morning, the physical motion of riding made their hearts beat faster. The emotion of love also makes our heart beat faster. So how many riders will have faster heart beats today because they shared a ride with their Valentine?

The heart is an emotional organ, linked with the right side of the brain. When we are in love it reacts almost identical to the classic fight or flight response, increasing our heart rate.

Riders often talk about their pounding heart on a ride, the pace and gears used will determine the percentage level of maximum heart rate used. However, the benefits of riding for heart health go beyond the beat. The British Medical Association found that those who regularly ride more than 32 kilometres over a week were 50 percent less likely to develop heart disease than non-riders.

So how many cyclists will share a bike ride with a loved one or find their romantic match on two wheels this Valentine’s Day? The team at Bicycle Network is trying to find out.

It’s national magazine, Ride On, has inserted a special Valentine’s Day tear-out in its February/March edition, encouraging readers to share the bike-riding love and use the printed invitation to ask someone special to join them on a Valentine’s Day ride.

Although the ideal journey would be a romantic one, sparks can often fly on even a simple daily work commute.

With thousands of Victorians regularly riding to work and up to 500 riding part way and taking advantage of the Parkiteer bike parking cages at their local train and bus stations, love will definitely be in the air this Valentine’s Day.

If you spot someone you’d like to get to know better on your commute home, or want to add a last-minute romantic adventure for your Valentine, give them the tear-out from Ride On magazine, invite them to ride with you and let the team at Bicycle Network know how it went.
 

For the love of bike riding

This Valentine’s Day Bicycle Network reflects on the bike love that is pouring out on our streets and what bikes do to look after their riders hearts.

The love riders have for their bikes may seem one way to those who don’t share the passion. However, research continually suggests that the beloved bike gives back in more ways than one, including a healthy heart.

The British Medical Association found that those who regularly ride more than 32 kilometres over a week were 50 percent less likely to develop heart disease than non-riders.

Bicycle Network CEO, Mr Harry Barber puts it into perspective.

“Many journeys people take by car are less than three kilometres. If we ride our bikes to complete these small trips, over a week we easily build up more than 32 kilometres.” said Mr Barber.

Cycling uses large muscle groups in the legs to elevate heart rate. If people ride regularly they will build better stamina and endurance, which The British Medical Association found enhances cardiovascular functioning by three to seven percent.

For a healthy heart this Valentine’s Day, Bicycle Network encourages the community to share the bike love and ride.