May is National Bike Month! The month-long celebration encourages everyone to air up their tires, check their brakes, dust off their bike helmet and ride!

Physical Health Benefits of Biking

We here at LiveWell Johnson County are big fans of biking for health benefits. Adults who get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a day – moderate means you can talk while you are exercising but you are breathing too hard to sing – lower their risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Biking regularly helps children, too. Incorporating physical activity into daily routines can help children maintain healthy weights and help their bones and muscles grow. The CDC recommends children get 60 minutes or more of physical activity a day. Research suggests that physically active kids are more likely to become healthy, physically active adults, underscoring the importance of developing the habit of regular physical activity early.

Mental & Emotional Health Benefits of Biking

Exercise is as great for your brain as it is for your body and several studies have found that the combination of exercise and exposure to the outdoors is a bit of a magic recipe for positive emotional and mental health benefits – enter biking – a combination of both! Biking has been shown to positively affect self-esteem, depression, anxiety and stress.

Don’t Have a Bike?

No worries! Johnson County Park & Recreation and the City of Lenexa have partnered with RideKC Bike program to offer pedal and electric-assisted bikes in locations throughout the county.  The system allows users to scan a bike to check it out, ride it safely and then return it at any authorized hub location. To rent a bike, download the RideKC Bike app and follow the directions to scan and check out the bike. Bikes cost $1 to unlock and 10 cents per minute.

Celebrate Bike Month

Get out and ride around your neighborhood, to work, or on one of the more than 450 miles of trails in Johnson County. Enjoy!