It burns calories. Biking at 10 mph burns nearly 400 calories an hour for a 130-pound person, a 13 mph ride burns nearly 600 an hour, and an 18 mph pace works off about 800 calories an hour. Research has shown that even slower-paced regular cycling can lower mortality and disease rates among those who hadn't exercised regularly. There's no stress on the joints, not like running or jumping. That means bikers often can exercise longer, and it doesn't necessarily feel like hard work.
All costs are upfront.
But there's little cost beyond that initial investment. That's what we're planning on. If you're planning to hit the road, experts say it's important to pack plenty of water. Beginners also benefit from biking with a more experienced partner or group. A reputable bike shop can help with that.