Want to get healthy, reduce stress, sleep better, save money and help the environment all at the same time? Ride your bicycle when commuting to work and doing errands.

I am sure you have noticed Guelph is in the process of adding bike lanes to many arterial roads. The City of Guelph is also in the midst of an Active Transportation Network Study that will affect future upgrades to the network of trails that connect the city for active forms of transport, such as walking, running, cycling and in-line skating.

It was surprising to learn three quarters of Guelph residents commute 15 kilometres or less to work and that most trips made in a vehicle are five kilometres or less. Normally, you can travel about three times faster on a bike than you can walk for the same amount of energy expended. Most people commute farther than they can reasonably walk or run to work. As a result, cycling is the most common form of active transportation.

Remember how much fun it was to ride your bike to school as a kid? Commuting to work on my bike makes me feel like a kid again. The cool fresh ride to work in the morning is far healthier and more effective at "kick starting" my day than a coffee. Nothing is better after a long day at work than jumping onto my bike and riding home. If my day has been particularly stressful, I seem to ride even faster.

Commuting on a bike normally takes longer than a vehicle, but that is also part of the appeal. We all live on such tight schedules that building a little extra margin into our lives is a good thing. On shorter trips, if you figure in the time spent to find a parking spot, park and walk to the location, the time difference is very small. Most stores, offices and public buildings have a place to park your bike that is right near the entrance so it is "valet parking."

Want to sleep better? Exercising outside exposes you to daylight and is essential in reducing stress hormones that prevent deep, regenerative sleep.

Getting healthier and losing weight is one of the reasons many choose to begin. Cycling 25 kilometres round trip will burn 600 calories. If you are just getting active and are carrying a little more weight than you should, cycling is kinder to your body than going for a jog. When you run, two to three times your body weight crashes through your body when your foot strikes the ground. If you are cycling, most of your body weight is supported by your saddle, reducing stress on bones and joints.

Cutting travel costs is one of the most obvious reasons to commute using active transportation. Gasoline prices are averaging $1.17 per litre in Guelph. The high price of fuel can be a big pain in the wallet. Reduce this by using active transportation when you can.

Don't forget about the wear and tear on your vehicle when you drive it. Guelph Transit buses are being equipped with bike racks so you can combine active and public transportation if you want.

It seems that everyone is trying to reduce their impact on the environment. Did you know that it takes around five per cent of the materials and energy used to make a car to manufacture a bike? Riding your bike produces zero pollution where vehicles are one of the largest polluters.