Save the World, Ride a Bike

If you think about it, cars kind of fart all over the earth. That’s gross, right? Consider how much damage this does to Mother Nature—and your bank account. Yes, those farts are costly! Even if you have a license, you can barely afford gas with just your measly babysitting money. You might as well be fueling your car with blood diamonds, gold, and elf poop (we hear the prices are crazy on the black market). Unless you’re dating a prince from some weird country and he’s wiring you major mullah, we’re going to assume these prices are FREAKING YOU OUT! What can you do? Raise up and fight the gas guys? Invent a device that allows you to teleport? Ride a dolphin to class? These things are just too HARD. But if you want to save money and help the earth too, maybe it's time you invest in some hot wheels, and get your booty on bike. Here are the benefits!

• You can enjoy Nature without having to get all Wordsworthy.
• You'll tone your legs and butt.
• Making friends on bikes is easy—and maybe you can form a motorcycle-esque gang, with less beards and leather.
• It's a good way to integrate exercise into your daily life.
• Hipsters ride bikes—and you’re dying to be one.
• You don’t have to give anyone a ride—after all, you only have one seat.
• You don’t have to deal with people in parking lots, and these humans are always THE WORST.
• Biking to and from school, work, babysitting, camp, and your fantasy book club help you de-stress, and maybe even make you happier (and less PMS-y).

Before you ride. Now that we’ve convinced you to give bike riding a shot, it’s time to get a bike. YAY—we love buying stuff. Here are some things you might want to consider at the bike shop.

• If you’re new to biking, the selection maybe overwhelming. Check out the Hybrids (don’t they just even sound so earth-friendly?) If a road bike and a mountain bike got out of hand on the trail and made a baby together, it would be a Hybrid. And Hybirds are the total package—this bike basically has blue eyes, a dimple, full lips, and a great jaw line—except in bike terms. Just know that it’s got EVERYTHING! Hybrids have all the comfort (and higher handle bars) of cruiser bikes, and the utility and speed of mountain bikes.
• Don’t forget to lock up. The whole reason you’re getting a bike in the first place is to go places. And you won’t be able to go anywhere if your bike gets stolen. Some people suck and will definitely want to steal your awesome Hybrid.
• Accessories are one hundred percent necessary. Your biking experience won’t be complete without a helmet (don’t want any scrambled eggheads), a water bottle holder, and a little basket in front for your iPod, an extra bathing suit, or a little snack.

Now ride!!!! Don’t let that bike sit in your garage and collect dust! To make the most of your new little toy, really get going and try these ideas!

• Make a routine. Get comfortable with the routes you will take to everyday locations like school or your boyfriend’s house. See which roads in your area have bike lanes (and make sure to ride with traffic—NOT AGAINST IT—even if you view the world as one big BIKES VS. CARS game.
• When considering driving to a place, ask yourself if it is bikeable. If you can allow yourself extra time and you’re comfortable, make a pact with yourself to get on your new wheels instead of turning the ignition.
• Plan a ride with friends. Can you bike to the beach or some other landmark nearby?  Plan an afternoon jaunt and pack some fun and tasty snacks. It’s way better than sitting on your butts discussing which part of your body is the most gelatin-like.

Any other bike questions? Ask this new bike enthusiast. If she doesn’t know she’ll ask her biker boyfriend…he’s even got special Italian shoes for it!

Related post: 10 Reasons to Bike to School