Why cycle? - because it's good for you!

Why cycle?
Good question!

There are many answers.
 For example, the NHS (the National Health Service - the UK's main health service provider) claims cycling:

• "is a truly invigorating and liberating experience, enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life"
• "regular cycling can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can also boost your mood and keep your weight under control"
• "cycling is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine because it's also a form of transport. That means it saves you money, gets you fit and contributes to a cleaner environment"
• "it's a low-impact type of exercise, so it's easier on your joints than running or other high-impact aerobic activities. But it still helps you get into shape"

Sounds good!

 Read it for yourself here: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/getting-started-guides/Pages/getting-started-cycling.aspx
and here: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/pages/cycling.aspx

Over in the USA, the American Heart Association recommends ALL exercise (!), claiming that:

• Physical activity boosts "mental wellness" - and can relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger, as well as improoving mental acuity and memory
• Physical activity boosts your immune system and reduces the risk from cancer and heart disease
• Physical activity can boost your levels of "good" cholesterol, and can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 mm of mercury (the same sort of level as common antihypertensive medications, e.g. "statins")
• Every hour you exercise adds about two hours to your life expectancy, even if you don't start until middle age.

Read it here: American Heart Association

Cycling for transport (rather than for purely leisure) also saves importing that extra little bit of fuel, which helps the national Balance of Trade position, produces a bit less CO2, increases national fuel security, and aids World peace by removes a tiny bit of one of the reasons why so many wars get fought (especially in the "Middle East").

It's a WIN, WIN, WIN situation!