Going on holiday? 7 great reasons to get around by bike instead of public transport, hop-on buses or rental cars

This is a guest post by Cloe Matheson

Are you considering cycling on your next holiday? You can discover wide-ranging benefits of renting a bike instead of hiring a rental car. Choosing this mode of transport will ultimately help you make the most of your vacation. Here are just a few great reasons why you should cycle on your next holiday.

Build Your Navigational Skills

When cycling in a new place, you don’t always have the convenience of using technology or a local taxi driver to find your way around. However, not always having your nose buried in a GPS or online map can be a good thing!  When you cycle on your own, you must rely on your natural sense of direction, which can really help to improve your navigation skills.

Meet Like-Minded People

Cycling can be an incredibly fun social sport, especially if you join a tour.  Joining a cycling tour is a fantastic opportunity to meet a diverse group of people.  In a bus or rental car, you may be able to meet some fellow travelers on your commute – but you will likely find much more in common with fellow cyclists!  You can bond over your biking experiences and favorite gear, as well as discuss your travelling adventures, all while having fun sightseeing.

Get Closer to Nature

The freedom and excitement you feel while riding a bike are unlike any other mode of transport. You can really see the city as the locals do, without being constricted to the interior of a car or bus. Cycling allows you to ride at a comfortable pace and take time to explore all your natural surroundings.

When you need a rest, you can just kick off your shoes and enjoy the soft grass while barefoot. Unlike the restrictions of driving on the highway or at the expense of fellow passengers, you’ll have the ability to observe and enjoy little things you would have never noticed inside a car, such as wildlife, plants, and scenery – which will give you a much deeper connection to the place you’re exploring.

Save Time

While travelling long distances on a bike may take a long time, it’s the ideal option for sightseeing in a busy city or town. You can cover distances that are tedious to walk – and you’ll also be able to skip traffic queues and avoid the hassle of finding and paying for carparks. Cycling is also often quicker than catching buses because you won’t have to walk to and wait at bus stops, and spend time in bus waiting as it collects and drops off people at various destinations.

Cut the Costs of Travel

One of the greatest benefits of travelling via bike is the amount of money you save. Renting a bike is much cheaper than renting a car or buying multiple bus tickets. You can travel for as long as you want, wherever you want, without breaking your travel budget.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Are you concerned about your environmental impact while travelling? Choosing to cycle instead of travelling via car is a sure way to keep your carbon footprint low. This way, you can explore with the peace of mind that you’re not causing environmental harm to the place you’re visiting.

Boost Your Physical Health

During vacations, it can be a challenge to keep up with your regular health & fitness routine. Your regular diet may go out the window, and you probably won’t have time to commit your usual workouts. But you can easily stay fit by choosing to cycle as much as you can. It should come as no surprise to learn that cycling is one of the best forms of exercise. It not only burns fat, but it also helps to build muscle and improve flexibility. The best part is – it’s fun and easy. The pure adventure of riding around outdoors provides great relief from any physical exhaustion you may feel. Cycling is also a low-impact sport – meaning it causes fewer injuries and strain on average than other forms of exercise.

Cloe Matheson is a freelance writer living in the South Island city of Dunedin, New Zealand. She has contributed to various sites and blogs on topics ranging from career and business to travel and lifestyle. See Cloe’s Tumblr page for more of her published work.