Save Gas and Get Your Exercise!

With gas prices on the rise and no end in sight, many will think seriously before traveling.  According to The Travel Industry Association (TIA) seasonal forecast, travel has declined just 1.1% from last fall season. It is logical to assume this same trend will exist for travelers.  Most will not completely cancel their plans, but instead will make modifications and adjustments to accommodate the rise in gas prices. Travelers are very adept at adapting quickly.

What a wonderful trend it would be if travelers thumbed their noses at the high price of gas and bought bikes to take on assignment!  According to freerepublic.com, the sale of bikes has outstripped the sale of cars in the past 12 months.
So perhaps the cost of gas can turn out to be a blessing. As we become more aware of our consumption, we tend to use less, which is always helpful to the environment. Increased hurricane activity also has people more concerned about and more aware of their impact on the environment (i.e., global warming).
 A bit of research into the transportation almanac reveals exactly how much can be saved by taking up bicycling. Riding a bicycle for 4 miles a day for 4 days would save 54 gallons annually. At $2.60 a gallon, those four days of sunshine and exercise just put $141 dollars in your pocket. Not to mention the positive impact on the environment. And we haven’t even begun to discuss the health benefits! Biking is wonderful for just about every body system, according to The Better Health Channel. Through biking, you can enjoy:

• Increased cardiovascular fitness
• Increased muscle strength and flexibility
• Improved joint mobility
• Decreased stress levels
• Improved posture
• Strengthened bones
• Decreased body fat levels

If you haven’t biked in a while, give it a try! You’ll feel like a kid again, and you’ll be doing yourself and the world a big favor.
Consider taking your bike along on your next assignment. You may be able to request housing close to the hospital so you can bike to work. Be sure the area is safe first. Wouldn’t it be great to arrive home from work and know you just finished your workout too? Meanwhile, you did something good for the world and future generations. That’s a lot of rewards for something so easy.