Students explore benefits of cycling
By Juan Villanueva |
Once Caleb Merkel finishes his after school activities at 5:30, he doesn’t have to wait for his parents to pick him up. The sophomore simply gets on his bike and goes home.
Merkel is one of about ten students who use the everyday tool of pedaling to get to school everyday.
Students tie their bike to the gate in the front of our campus. Photo by Juan Villanueva
In our campus, there are many reasons why this group of few students ride their bicycle to campus.
One reason why these students ride their bicycle to campus, is simply because they enjoy doing it.
“It’s fun and I like it because of BMX,” freshman De’onte Crumley said.
Another reason why students use their bicycle as transportation to school is for exercise.
With 30 minutes of exercise recommended everyday, students who ride their bicycle to campus are able to gain that and keep their cardio up for before and after school.
On a half hour ride, students are able to burn up to 400 calories. So depending on how far students live, determines how many calories they burn.
“It’s good exercise for one thing, it’s faster than walking, and it’s exciting to just ride my bike,” senior Joel Rabago said.
A last reason why students use their bike to get to school is for self reliability.
With bicycles, students are able to leave campus much later than the usual and do not rely on parents to pick them up.
“It’s a flexible way to leave campus since I leave at 5:30 and I don’t have to rely on someone to pick me up,” Merkel said.