Biking Benefits Revisited by Kerri Zane
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 2:40PM 
The last time I seriously rode my bike was when I turned 11 years old and my parents purchased a swanky new blue 3 speed for my birthday. That’s right - not 10 or 12 speeds - just 3, but to me it was the finest mode of transportation in the world. I rode that bike everywhere and all the time. I remember once having a 102 fever but donned my helmet and hit the road determined to do my time with my shiny new wheels.
It wasn’t long though before, my two wheels were replaced by four, and the 3-speed turned into a dust collector in the garage. Instead of riding my bike around town for a healthy workout, I drove to the nearest gym and engaged in pumping iron and high stepping aerobics. But in the last few years my love for hitting the pavement for a joint saving ride has been renewed. As a resident of Long Beach I am taking advantage of all the efforts my city has instituted as we make our way to becoming the most bike friendly city in the country.
My favorite local bike hang are the "sharrows" in Belmont Shore. For those of you who aren’t familiar with sharrows, they are the green painted lanes that line either side of Second Street. They are designed for automobiles and bicyclists to respectfully share the road.
I live near this beach-friendly shopping district in my hometown of Long Beach and love the leisurely ride to the shops and restaurants on the street. Not only is the ride a great adjunct to my daily workout, I have no issues parking close to my destination and never have to feed a parking meter! And local shop owners have embraced the city’s new bike culture with “bike friendly business districts.” Selected shops provide discounts to those of us who ride. All I need to do is show them my bike helmet and the price cuts abound.
As a single mom, the best part for me riding my bike is the inspiration I impart to my daughters. They too have also caught my two-wheeled riding bug and frequently choose their bicycles over automobiles for short trips around town. Join us for a ride!
To your health and well-being
Xoxo
Kerri
For more than two decades Kerri has been involved in media as an Emmy award winning TV executive producer, writer, author, radio co-host and speaker. As an Ambassador of Healthy Living for Single Moms she hosts a health and fitness informational series for Long Beach, California’s Bikeable Communities. She is the co-host for Innerlight Radio’s international The Natural Healing and Natural Remedies show sponsored by Mazu Gold. Find out more about Kerri on her website www.kerrizane.com