Benefits of Bike Riding for Older Adults

As we age, it’s important to keep our bodies active and moving. Luckily, there are plenty of great options, and bike riding is an easy and accessible choice. As they say, “it's as easy as riding a bike!”

Residents at The Roosevelt, enjoy easy access to Elmhurst, IL’s many lovely park trails and quiet neighborhood streets. One of the area’s finest and most popular options, the Salt Creek Trails are located just a quick drive away and feature cool, shaded paths that wind through forest preserves surrounded by natural beauty. The Red Paved Trail is an especially nice, paved option spanning the Brezina and Brookfield Woods.

It’s no surprise that biking is one of the favorite pastimes of older adults. From physical benefits to mental advantages, hopping on your bike offers a wide range of wellness-boosting perks. Ready to hit the trail? Here are some key benefits of riding a bicycle for seniors:

Low-Impact Exercise

As we age, our joints (specifically the hips and knees) can weaken and lose some mobility. Similar to swimming and water aerobics, bike riding is a great choice for low-impact exercise that takes the weight off your joints while still providing the benefits of working out (more on that later!). While jogging (another popular pastime for older adults) puts stress on your ankles and knees, bike riding moves the focus to your leg and core muscles, offering a great cardio workout without adding stress to your joints.

To further avoid joint stress, avoid hills and stick to level trails, and consider stability bands or braces for your ankles or knees.

Improved Balance

There’s a reason it takes people time to master bike riding. Balancing on two wheels isn’t easy, activating the muscles in your legs, glutes, and core. It also takes fine motor skills, continual mental concentration, and awareness of your surroundings to both stay upright and avoid obstacles, bends in the trail, stop lights, car traffic, and more.

Bike riding as an older adult is a great way to improve and maintain your balance, posture, coordination, and flexibility, all of which help keep your body and mind healthy — even when you switch back from two wheels to your feet.

Cardiovascular Health

Regular exercise for seniors is one of the most important ways to support your overall health, specifically blood and oxygen circulation. Your body relies on your heart and lungs to function, which is why protecting your cardiovascular health is the key to supporting the rest of your well-being.

Exercise helps keep your blood moving freely to and from your heart, keeping your arteries cleared of bad cholesterol and your circulatory system in fighting shape. Bike riding is a great way to keep your blood moving with cardio, while increasing endorphins (your body’s natural mood boosters) in the fresh air, too.

Cognitive Benefits

Bike riding isn’t just good for your heart and muscles. In addition to transporting blood to and from your heart, your circulatory system also makes sure your brain gets the crucial oxygen it needs for optimal cognitive functioning.

Exercise, specifically aerobic (cardio) training like jogging, swimming, and biking, improves your body’s efficiency at carrying oxygen from your lungs to the various parts of your body that need it. Cardio exercises support your cognitive health by keeping both your brain and the rest of your body properly oxygenated.

Regular physical activity can also improve your mood by promoting the production of dopamine, often referred to as the “happy hormone.” Biking can boost your emotional and mental health, helping you feel motivated and accomplished. 

Spend Time With Friends

Bike riding brings people together—perfect for bonding with friends old and new. Social interaction is key to maintaining both a healthy mind and body, and as we age, it can feel harder to make friends. Bike riding groups and clubs for seniors, chatting with fellow riders and biking enthusiasts, and even teaching your grandkids how to ride are all amazing ways to improve your social life and give you all the benefits of socializing for seniors.

Biking Tips for Seniors

Ready to hit the open road? Stay safe wherever you ride with these bike riding tips for seniors:

●      Wear your helmet! According to the American College of Surgeons, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 48%.

●      Drink water while riding. Make sure to stay hydrated by bringing a water bottle or CamelBak.

●      Get the right gear, which could include knee braces, biking gloves, or cushioned shorts.

●      Consider a recumbent bike, also known as a sitting bike, for additional back and neck support.

●      Ride on trails or quiet streets to avoid car traffic and pedestrians.

●      Use an e-bike for a helping hand when you need it, such as on hills and other elevation gains.

●      Try a stationary bike, which can be a great option to get low-impact cardio exercise indoors. Some models even offer additional back support.

Coast Your Way With Maintenance-Free Senior Living

Residents at The Roosevelt at Salt Creek enjoy all the benefits of retirement, without any of the chores. Spend less time cleaning, cooking, and mowing and more time biking, exploring and relaxing. Contact us to learn more, schedule a personal tour, and start letting the good times roll!