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Whether you're commuting to work our out for a scenic excursion, bicycling is a great way to get around! Riding a bike can take you farther than walking can and faster, while causing less strain on your knees, ankles, and lower back. It also causes far less harm to the environment than riding around in a motorized vehicle that's spewing carcinogenic fumes into the sky.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to break a sweat to benefit from biking either. It's a gentler, lower impact, cardiovascular exercise than jogging, and you still get to appreciate all the natural beauty around you while your heart and lungs are getting a "lite" workout. It's a boon to your physical and mental health at once.

It may be obvious that biking helps develop strong calves, hamstrings, thighs and other leg muscles, but did you also know that bicycling properly can also strengthen your lower back, encourage better posture, relieve spinal strain, and firm up your fanny?

Even in urban areas, you can often find established bike trails far enough removed from the city streets that you can avoid those polluted pockets of mass transit and instead breathe in fresh and clean air as you travel.

Bicycle riding can also be good for your financial health. Start running errands close to your home or workplace (say within 5 miles) on your bicycle instead of driving your car far and wide and you'll save a lot in gas. Plus, when you're healthier, your medical expenses are bound to be lower.

To ensure you receive maximum benefit from bicycling, choose the right bike for the terrain: a road bike for road riding (and for relatively smooth, well-established trails) and a mountain bike for rougher riding (off-road or off-trail or on the beach). Not only will you enjoy the ride more with the right kind of bike supporting you, but you'll prevent yourself from terrible strain, that counterproductive and unnecessary side-effect of far too many attempts at fitness.

So take it easy. Enjoy the scenery. Try riding up the occasional hill. Stop before it hurts. Don't go too fast downhill. Check your brakes periodically. Drink water. Wear a helmet. Bring a friend. And enjoy the many benefits of riding a bicycle.

Learn more about this author, Sage Kalmus.
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