Positive Spin

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.”

Sherlock Holmes author, Arthur Conan Doyle, Scientific American, 1896

One vital aspect about cycling should be remembered at all times – it’s FUN! Despite the ingrained negative attitudes that we may experience, on the whole, most road users are aware of of everyone’s need to peacefully share the road. As for those bad attitudes, this website has plenty of information relating to those issues and how you can positively overcome them.

Our Positive Spin category has plenty of inspiring cycling-themed stories.

Possibly the most important thing you can do to enhance cycling is simply to get out there and RIDE. Be a positive role model to those around you. And have fun in the process!

Cycling Promotion Fund: Benefits of Cycling

Riding a bicycle is good for your body and your mind. Physical activity alters brain chemistry and leads to feelings of wellbeing. A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of depression, and depression increases the likelihood of a sedentary lifestyle.

Bicycle Victoria: Cycling is good for your health

Getting more people cycling as part of daily life may be one of the best ways to improve the community’s health and tackle sedentary lifestyles. Health benefits of cycling include: lower cholesterol and blood pressure reduced obesity and promotes weight loss lower risk of heart attack and stroke longer life span improved mental health and reduced depression.

Bicycle Tasmania: It’s easier than you think: A Guide to Cycling to work

People use bicycles for many different reasons and for many different purposes, from popping to the shops to racing, from an enjoyable family activity to urban deliveries. All these and the myriad other aspects of cycling accumulate a great deal of benefits for the individual, the local community and the environment.

One of the most beneficial ways to use a bike is to regularly cycle to work, this has the potential to be a lot of fun while saving you a lot of money and at the same time improving your health and fitness. For many people riding a bike to work would seem an awesome task, but having read the title you have already received the most valuable advice this handbook has to offer.

Australia Bicycle Council: Benefits of Cycling

Recent studies overseas and in Australia continue to confirm the benefits, both economic and social, of increasing the number of bicycle trips that replace car trips. This page summarises some of the findings from a number of perspectives: the individual, the community and the environment. This summary, and the references provided, may provide a useful resource for organisations seeking evidence to support their arguments for cycling promotion.

Bike for all (UK)

Cycling is fun, fast, green and healthy. That’s why we want you to spend more time pedalling, and less time sitting in front of the computer. Bikeforall.net is a filter, listing the useful bike stuff on the internet, ignoring the duff. There are some excellent sources of information out there, if you know where to look.

BikeBiz: New cyclists start here (UK)

According to the Bicycle Association, the organisation which represents Britain’s cycle suppliers, there are 27 million cycles in ownership in the UK. If you’ve just bought number 27 million and one, you’re on the right track, and here’s how and why to ride your new bike

Cycling is a whole tub full of new experiences. Addictive too. Regular exercise stimulates the pleasure centres of your brain so the more you cycle, the more you’ll want to cycle. Using a bike is easy, cheap, green, independent, quiet, fast, convenient, door-to-door, healthy, and fun.