No Sweat! Bikeshare Makes Commuting Healthy

There’s no shortage of athletic activities in the Roaring Fork Valley. But if you’re commuting by car around the Mid-and-Upper Valley, even the most health conscious can spend 30 minutes to 2 hours a day sitting in traffic. One of the many ways in which bikeshare provides an alternative to traditional transportation is the fact that, at its most basic, bicycling saves money by engaging your muscles. According to figures released by the North American Bikeshare & Scootershare Association, bikeshare participants gained 5.7 million hours of regular bike physical activity and 2.1 million hours of e-bike physical activity in the last year alone!

This past August, WE-cyclers averaged about 8.5 minutes per ride and collectively traveled approximately 21,000 miles. Although bikeshare isn’t intended to provide or replace daily exercise, these figures demonstrate an important – and intended – consequence of WE-cycle: by offering opportunities (not obligations) to our community, we’re rolling the many daily benefits of bicycling into one experience. WE-cyclers regularly report that switching from car to bicycle commuting makes their day more enjoyable because it engages the body and the mind.

Our partners at Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH) agree with our belief in the proactive benefits of bikeshare. And in the spirit of individual and community health, AVH will once again be offering its Health Fair from November 10th – 13th. This popular event sells out every year. Book your appointment and take advantage of the medical screening and testing that’ll be available at the Fair. Regular WE-cyclers will find more information about the AVH Health Fair at stations around Aspen in early October.

WE-cycle believes that healthy people make for healthy communities. To learn more about the physical benefits of bikeshare, check out this recent Colorado State University study.

Keep an eye out for AVH’s Community Panels in the weeks to come.