By Alex Strange & Peter Kaye
Now more than ever, mental health awareness is at an all-time high. Following countless days spent in lockdown, and with the current high gas prices, many of us spent our time staring into space wondering how we can escape it all.
In a recent small survey of 1000 motorcyclists, Asda Money wanted to look at why people decided to ride. The top reasons for enjoying motorcycling were found to be: enjoying a sense of freedom (59%), the thrill of riding a bike (40%) and the ability to travel (34%). But interestingly here, some riders expressed how two wheels have also helped them with anxiety and/or depression.
Here are the five ways that they found riding improves mental health:
Brighten your mood
Apparently, scientists discovered that riding a motorcycle releases dopamine and endorphin hormones, which makes us feel happy. I don’t know about you, but even in a foul mood I can jump on a bike, and after a few miles everything feels right again. Is it because you’re focusing on nothing but what’s in front of (and around) you? Maybe. But simply put riding makes us happy. Happy makes us healthy.
Disconnect from technology
When you’re riding, you’re riding. You are served with that brief disconnect from the online world, and I’ve spoken to countless riders who consider putting their lid on as entering their own space. Now, I’ll refrain from the ‘bikes have so much tech and connectivity nowadays’ comment. I’ll also refrain from the ‘but you have intercom systems and phone connectivity’ comments. You can choose to ‘switch on to switch off’ if you want.
Enjoy the fresh air
Open the visor on your lid in the countryside and get a big whiff of cow poo – or fresh air. Motorcycling is an outdoor hobby, fresh air stimulates us and looking at trees apparently is called ‘tree bathing’ and reduces stress. Every day is a learning day! Plus, you can then flip the Visordown. Sorry, had to.
Meet new people
How many times have you pulled up to a new place and met a biker, and instantly had something in common to talk about with them? Trading riding stories, route stories and bike gossip – motorcycling is a top way to meet new people. If you choose to join your local riding group, you’re instantly part of a network of riders. Plus, we all nod to each other when we are out. That makes us happy. You can also join our community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – there’s your invite!
Improve your physical health
There’s been plenty of times where I’ve come back from a B-road blast and got an absolute sweat on. Riding can be very physically involving, whether you’re hauling a behemoth like the R18B around the twisties or on a lightweight sportsbike, you’ll be using your body to get around. And that right there is considered exercise. Exercise is proven as a top way to get your mind in the right place. The focus required from motorcycling is such that all other issues are forgotten and even if that is for a short period of time it could be invaluable.
Save on gas
With these outrageous gas prices, it feels great every time I pull up to the pump and fill up for $25-$30. Knowing that I will get the same amount of mileage out of the five-gallon tank then I will get with my SUV that has a 15+ gallon tank and requires close to $100 to fill up, I will trade the open air and God’s masterpieces along with 1/3 pf the cost any day!
So, don’t be a prisoner of fear and the high gas prices. Instead spend some time behind handlebars and live your life!
Peter “Spartan” Kaye
