How Bicycles Can Change the World

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🌎 Real Thoughts from the Road: After decades of long-distance cycling, I’ve come to believe bicycles can genuinely change the world. Here’s why — and how we can help make it happen.

How Bicycles Can Change the World

Sometimes when I’m out riding, I feel like I’m pedaling on top of the world — literally and figuratively. There’s something about cycling that feels so right, so sustainable, and so hopeful. After decades in the saddle, I still wonder: Why don’t more people ride bikes?

Bicycles are fun, healthy, efficient, and environmentally friendly — yet they remain underused in a car-centric world. But I truly believe that bicycles can help save the world — if we’re willing to invest in them, advocate for them, and normalize them as more than just recreation.

Here’s how bikes can make the world a better place — and how you can be part of that change.

🚴‍♂️ The Benefits of Cycling Go Far Beyond Fitness

Here are just a few of the ways bicycles can change the world for the better:

• Reduce pollution: Bikes produce zero emissions. Every time someone chooses a bike over a car, air quality improves. Just imagine if millions made that shift.
• Improve public health: Cycling helps reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and even depression. It’s one of the best things you can do for your body and mind.
• Create more livable communities: With more cyclists and fewer cars, we get quieter streets, less congestion, and safer neighborhoods.
• Increase access to education and work: In many developing countries, owning a bicycle means being able to reach school, jobs, or medical care that would otherwise be out of reach.
• Promote equity: Bicycles are far more affordable than cars and cost little to maintain — making mobility accessible to more people regardless of income level.

To see how bike touring ties into this, I’ve experienced firsthand how riding can connect communities, reduce fear, and foster connection — even across cultural and economic divides.

🚧 But Let’s Be Honest — There Are Real Challenges

• Inadequate infrastructure: Most U.S. cities still lack safe, protected bike lanes. Cyclists are often forced to share space with fast-moving traffic.
• Public perception: Cycling is still viewed by many as a hobby, not a serious mode of transportation.
• Convenience of cars: Cars offer speed, comfort, and protection — especially in bad weather. They still dominate the daily commute.

But these aren’t roadblocks — they’re opportunities for change.

💡 What Can We Do?

• Support infrastructure investment: Advocate for protected lanes, bike-friendly intersections, and connected networks. Support local leaders who care about this.
• Normalize bike commuting: Show up on two wheels. Talk about the benefits. Encourage others to try it.
• Make it easier to ride: Employers can offer bike parking, showers, and incentives. Cities can expand bike-share programs.
• Choose gear that helps: For example, insulated water bottles, rearview mirrors, and high-vis safety vests can make everyday riding more enjoyable and safe.

🛠️ Must Have Items: One of my favorite safety upgrades is a simple handlebar mirror or if you have glasses like I do, a rearview mirror I have owned since 2014. They are affordable, easy to install, and instantly makes riding in traffic feel more confident.

📣 Final Thoughts

Yes — bicycles really can change the world. But it takes all of us. It takes riders, planners, business owners, voters, and everyday people who are willing to look at a bike not just as a toy or a weekend machine, but as a serious tool for transformation.

If you're already a cyclist, you’re part of the movement. If you're just thinking about it — start today. Every ride matters.

Related Posts

• 🌍 Will Global Warming Endanger the Future of Cycling?
• Why I Stick with My Local Bike Shop (And Why You Should Too)
• Conquering Cobblestones: Can We Save the Earth's Savior, the Bicycle?

FAQs About Cycling's Global Impact

Q: Can cycling really reduce pollution and climate change?
A: Yes. Every trip taken by bike instead of car helps reduce carbon emissions. If enough people shift even a few trips per week, the collective impact is significant.

Q: Isn’t cycling mostly for athletes or hobbyists?
A: Not at all. In many countries, bikes are used daily for commuting, deliveries, and errands. With the right infrastructure, anyone can do it.

Q: What about older riders or those with health limitations?
A: That’s where e-bikes come in. They’re opening the door for seniors and others to ride farther, longer, and with more confidence.

Q: What’s one thing I can do right now to support cycling?
A: Ride your bike. Talk about it. Share your story. And support policies and leaders who prioritize safe cycling infrastructure. 

🚴 Gear I Personally Use

• Renpho Smart Scale
  Lost 17 lbs since buying — motivating and full of great info.
  👉 See the One I Have
• Giro Fixture MIPS II Helmet
  My most important piece of gear — a must-have for every ride.
  👉 Lots of Colors
• Outdoor Cooling Arm Sleeves
  I wear these every ride to protect my skin from cancer.
  👉 Check Price
• Cosmos Cooling Leg Sleeves
  I had cancer cut off my leg — I refuse to have more problems and wear these now.
  👉 See Them
• Przewalski Bib Shorts
  I have multiple pairs — more comfortable and last longer.
  👉 See Them
• Premier Protein Shakes
  I drink one after every ride — low sugar, high protein.
  👉 Amazon Price

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