Recumbent Bikes Provides Exercise For Seniors

Recumbent bikes are increasing in popularity as they are great for exercise for seniors. Many seniors think they can no longer ride a bike, especially if they have physical limitations or are not quite as spry as they used to be. This is really not the case, though, now that recumbent bikes are increasingly popular. They are available in a variety of styles, many of which are especially well suited for the unique needs of seniors.

Recumbent Bikes Basics

Recumbent bikes are different from regular bikes because instead of sitting up high with your feet and legs pedaling underneath you, the bike allows you to sit more comfortably as if in a chair that leans slightly backward. Your feet and legs extend out in front of you and the pedaling movement is front to back rather than up and down as on a regular bike.

Seniors find recumbent bikes easier to use because of the relatively easy and relaxed seating position. If balance is a problem then a recumbent tricycle is an excellent alternative. Regardless of whether you choose a recumbent bicycle or tricycle, you will be probably be happiest if you invest in one that has at least some sort of suspension on the front and rear wheels. A padded seat is very nice as well; some manufacturers are now offering recumbent bikes and trikes with seats that are practically like recliners with their level of comfort.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Recumbent Bikes

There are a great number of advantages to riding on a recumbent bike, such as:

• Comfort – Between the comfortable seat and the reclining position, riding a recumbent bike is easier on your body and can be done for longer periods of time. Muscle strains and other pains are reduced quite a bit, thanks again to the reclining position.

• Safety – Because recumbent bikes are lower to the ground, if you should take a tumble you are much less likely to get a serious injury. There just isn’t nearly as great of a distance to fall. Also, the recumbent position makes braking and stopping much easier and quicker.

• Visibility while riding – Most seniors find it much easier to see where they are going and maintain good visibility while riding because instead of trying to hold their necks up like on a regular bike, they are already seated and facing forward with a wide range of sight.

• Customization – Recumbent bikes are extremely customizable, more so than a regular bike. You can specify the reclining angle of the seat, the width and padding of the seat, the length of the wheelbase, the shocks and suspension, and even a windshield to help protect from wind and rain.

Along with these advantages, of course, there are disadvantages to recumbent bikes as well. These include:

• Balance and stability – A regular recumbent bicycle take a bit more practice to master the balance and stability. Because you sit much lower to the ground it is more difficult to establish a balance and at slow speeds it is harder to keep the bike stable. This is why many seniors prefer riding a recumbent tricycle instead.

• Visibility while riding – While the rider has greater visibility on a recumbent bike, people in cars and other vehicles find it much harder to see a recumbent bike going down the street. Again, this is due to the low position relative to the ground. A good way to increase visibility is to attach a tall, flexible, and bright flag to the frame of the bike.

• Maneuverability – The longer wheelbase of a recumbent bike means the turning radius is larger than a traditional bike and the maneuverability is reduced. You have to take this into account when judging distances and safe areas to ride.

• Cost – A recumbent bike can cost as much as 20% to 50% more than a standard upright bike. For many seniors, though, the higher price is well worth it for the increased comfort and ridability.

Great Option and Exercise For Seniors

The bottom line when it comes to recumbent bikes is that they can be a really great option for seniors who want to be active but can’t ride a regular upright bike. They allow the rider to be more comfortable and ride for longer periods of time, which in turn contributes to better health and fitness levels.

Electric Bikes and Scooters for Clean Air and Savings

Electric bikes have come a distance since they first turned up in the 1890s, just 30 years after the pedal powered bicycle was born in Paris. Now, with new technologies in electric bikes offering lighter batteries, superior storage density and conversion kits, electric motors are the most popular mode of propelling electric bikes. Depending on the type of electric bike, the functionality of the motor can range from taking a back seat to pedaling and used only when extra energy is required, like pedaling uphill, or it may be the primary source of energy, as it is with mopeds, where pedaling is only to be used during emergencies. Some newer models boast the ability to enable regenerative braking and charging while pedaling or rolling downhill, and fuel cells are on the horizon for alternative methods of powering electric bikes.

A few things to look for when choosing the electric bike that’s right for you is motor and driving efficiency, battery capacity, aerodynamics and the weight of the bike. Once you’ve chosen your electric bike, you’ll be saving money not only in the long run, as with hybrid and other fuel-efficient cars, but also in the short term. Your electric bike is perfect for local commuting, sight-seeing and travel trips, and not only costs less to purchase than a car, but the maintenance and upkeep fees are fractional in comparison. By riding an electric bike, you’re not only saving cash but also the environment: electric bikes are classified as zero-emissions vehicles, and with the newer internal combustion engines, the negative impact of battery disposal is eliminated.

Motor scooters are another viable alternative to cars, SUVs and urban trucks. Electric scooters have traditionally been powered by battery, but new innovations in fuel cell energy offer money and environmentally conscious riders another option besides batteries. With gas prices that only seem to rise without limit and daunting warnings about the effects of global warming due to harmful emissions, a motor scooter can give you the same daily freedoms and conveniences a car does, while also creating new conveniences. Recharging your electric scooter at home is far more time-efficient than stopping at gas stations to refuel, as is eliminating oil changes and regular maintenance. To compare the fuel costs of an electric scooter to a gasoline powered scooter, the electric one costs 25% of what the gas one does.

The environmental impact of riding an electric scooter or even a non-electric scooter is nominal compared to that of even the most self-proclaimed environmentally friendly car. Even supplementing your car use with riding an electric bike or scooter within city limits to commute to work or school, run errands or to simply to get around makes a difference, as the US transportation sector alone contributes to one-third of the country’s carbon dioxide production. When all it takes to reduce air pollution by 20%, is to opt for a cleaner method getting off to work one day a week, it makes you wonder why everyone who is able to drive a car is not choosing to ride an electric bike or a scooter instead. Have a look through our vast collection of alternative modes of transportation, and get started on saving your money and your air quality today.