One can ride a bicycle almost anywhere, at any time of the year, and at low cost. Little or no time has to be lost, as bike travel can be used to get to work, perform errands, or enjoy the outdoors. Commuting by bike reduces pollution that causes asthma and bronchitis. A commuting cyclist is also less exposed to air pollution than a commuting motorist. O n the down side, cycling does involve some risk of injury which has been greatly exaggerated by fearmongers.
Cycling actually has similar risks to traveling by automobile.
The British Medical Association has estimated that the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks by twenty to one. Some medical authorities recommend as little as 20 minutes a day, three times a week, while others recommend 2,000 kCal, which would be at least four times that amount. Well, most authorities recognize the more exercise the better up to some undetermined point, but many are afraid that if they expect too much, people won't exercise at all. Another reason for lowering the recommendation was due to the damage caused by jogging, a problem cycling does not share. I am afraid that those setting very low requirements are giving people the mistaken impression that they don't need any more exercise than their usual, basically sedentary activity.