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wheels with benefits

a friend of mine is in the habit of replying to anyone who asks how he is, with the word 'terrible'. those of us who have known the chap for a few years are well aware that this is standard practice and, in fact, he is perfectly well. on the contrary, i always reply that i am always well, citing cycling as the reason. whether this is actually the reason, i know not, but it suits my purposes to tell others that it is. in point of fact, enquiring as to an individual's well-being is generally regarded as a phatic statement, one designed to maintain the lines of communication, rather than to engage in meaningful discussion.

in point of fact, rarely does anyone ask out of genuine curiousity, but every now and again, its a query that backfires. several years ago, i asked a gent i hadn't seen in quite some time as to how he was, and he actually told me. the answer involved repeating each and every medical condition from which he'd suffered, and the subsequent remedies practised by the medical profession. that is half an hour of my life i'll never see again. and just to be repetitively trite, building on my contention that i am always to be found in the best of health due to my cycling proclivities, any professed illness on behalf of others is generally met with the suggestion that this could be due to a lack of cycling.

i've little doubt that all of us here can testify to the benefits of cycling, from both a physical and mental point of view, but that scarcely commends it as a means of fending off potential or actual illnesses. however, i believe that documentation and statistical evidence exists to suggest that any physical activity, such as walking, cycling or swimming is likely to demonstrate tangible health benefits, improving one's cardiovascular system and, according to recent reports, likely to stave off the worst effects of viral infections such as covid.

data published in the british journal of sports medicine suggests that at least 20 minutes per day of regular exercise, tautologically including cycling, can provide reduced susceptibility to sars type viruses, as well as diabetes and other endemic health problems. though hardly information previously unknown by those of us who cycle, walk, swim or participate in other forms of exercise, i can't help but think the majority of the world seems oblivious.

but now there may be greater emphasis placed on the cycling aspect of this potential solution as the uk department of transport announces a £12.7 million trial, urging general practitioners in england to prescribe cycling or walking to their patients in an attempt to lessen the burden on the already stretched national health service. according to health minister, maria caulfield, "getting active is hugely beneficial for both our mental and physical health, helping reduce stress..."

you may, as did i, wonder why doctors prescribing cycling or walking would be likely to cost the department of transport as much as £12.7 million, but apparently such a prescription is likely to include the free loan of a bicycle. the trial will take place in eleven english local authority areas including bradford, cornwall and leeds, and includes all-ability cycling taster days along with walking and cycling mental health groups.

however, you would be right to contrast this governmental largesse against the knowledge that westminster, and to a certain extent, holyrood, has serially failed to implement a co-ordinated cycling infrastructure, something often cited as the very reason why non-cyclists do not adopt the way of the saddle. if we can accept that lessening the burden on the nhs by prescribing cycling to those who may otherwise become dependent patients will result in '...huge cost savings', surely that would free up some pennies to spend on the cycling infrastructure mentioned above?

but in a statement that might highlight his lack of cycling prowess, chief executive of the charity 'mind' is on record as saying that prescribing exercise was not a miracle cure for mental health problems. i don't doubt the veracity of his statement, but i'm sure we're all aware that nothing is ever worse after a bike ride.

on the contrary, prescribing cycling could well be the start of a well-being revolution. it certainly works for me and many others.

wednesday 24 august 2022