Travel on Two Wheels

Travel on Two Wheels When done safely, biking can be a great way to get around, from running quick errands to commuting to work. Best of all, biking is healthy for you and the environment. Consider downsizing from four wheels to two. Brought to you by: NorthShore University Health S ystem Explore NorthShore University HealthSystem's list of the healthy benefits of cycling & tips for how to do it safely. Benefits A Healthier You People who bike for 30 minutes, 5x a week have stronger immune systems. On average, bikers take 1/2 as many sick days as inactive people. Studies have shown that regular cycling can decrease risk of heart disease by 50%. calories are burned (give or take) by a 175 lb. 700 person biking moderately for an hour. That's equivalent to almost 4 slices of pizza. A Healthier Earth If 10% of NYC commuters biked to work Total Carbon Emissions by Mode of Transportation instead of driving 1x a week, it could save per mile, per passenger million pounds of CO2 120 emissions per year. 0.46 oz CO2 A San Francisco study showed that local 5.9 oz CO2 greenhouse gas emissions would fall by if residents used bikes H 2.2 oz CO 2 14% (rather than cars) an additional 18 minutes a day. If more Chicagoans used bikes to commute, it would decrease the tailpipe emissions from trucks and cars that currently account for 1/2 of the city of Chicago's air pollution. Safety Tips Bike Helmet 101 of critical head injuries 85% Helmet should fit snugly and could be prevented by not move from side to side, wearing a helmet. A helmet prevents a head Helmet should stop roughly one inch injury approximately every above the eyebrows. 4 minutes. of child bike fatalities 75% Chin strap should could be prevented by wearing a helmet. be buckled and rest against chin. Learn the Signals Right Left Stop Turn Signal Turn Signal Signal The Rules of the Road STOP Ride in a single-file line with the flow of traffic, never against it. Follow all lane Before turning on All cars have blind markings, traffic signs and traffic signals. spots. Use hand signals to be safe & wear bright clothes. streets or intersections, look both ways. Sources northshore.org bikesbelong.org cyberdriveillinois.com thinkfirst.org bikeradar.com calorieking.com cityofchicago.org