Bicycles Are Much Better For The Environment Than Cars: Here's How

It's probably no secret that bicycles are better for the environment than cars. Do you know exactly how that's true though? Here are just some of the many ways that bikes are better for our ecosystem compared to cars.

Fewer air pollutants and emissions

Cars are notorious for giving off greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. In fact, more than 80% of the carbon monoxide in the atmosphere comes from motor vehicles that use gas and diesel. Automobiles are also responsible for 55% of the nitrogen oxide pollution in the air. If you were to ride your bike to work instead of driving a car, you can cut these emissions significantly.

Less fuel consumption

The University of North Caroline Highway Safety Research Center found that motor vehicles consume millions of barrels of oil every day in the form of gas and diesel. In 2010 alone, roughly 10 million barrels of gas were used every day for this purpose. Bicycles, on the other hand, use no fuel to operate. Riding your bike instead of driving a car can significantly reduce the consumption of petroleum oil.

Reduced traffic/parking problems

Traffic is a problem for a few reasons. The first is that cars produce .97 pounds of pollution per mile every year. So the more traffic there is, the more pollutants end up in the air. The second problem is that traffic slows people down. Bikes can be up to 50% faster than cars during rush hour. Additionally, parking lots are a problem for the environment because they are taking away space for plant and animal life. This takes away the opportunity for air cleaners that reduce the quantity of carbon dioxide in their air. Bikes take up less space and therefore less parking.

Less energy during manufacturing

Finally, bikes are even better for the environment during the manufacturing process. The energy and resources it takes to make one single car can be used to make up to 100 bicycles. That includes the bike chainring bolts, steel track frames, and more. So before you even start driving a car, it's worse for then environment right off the assembly line.


Now that you understand how much better bicycles are for the environment, you probably want one. Here at Ben's Cycle, we have everything to satisfy your bike needs, from chainring bolts to bike pedals. We can help you be on your way to a healthier and cleaner life.

4 Ways Riding A Bike Every Day Can Benefit Your Health: Part 2

As mentioned in our last installment, riding a bicycle every day has some amazing health benefits. It can relieve your anxiety and depression, it improves your quality of sleep, it can prevent cancer, and it helps speed up recovery time for many injuries. That's not the only way your health benefits from regular cycling. Here are four more ways your cartridge bottom bracket, chainring bolts, toe clips, and entire bicycle can do wonders for your health.

Improves heart health

Cycling is a great cardiovascular activity, making your heart stronger and healthier. Cycling also makes your skeletal muscles more sensitive to insulin, giving you better control over your blood sugar levels. According to the British Medical Association, cycling just 20 miles a week can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by 50%.

Burns fat

When you're cycling, you experience some resistance from the bike itself, as well as from the surface you're cycling on. According to a 2017 study, biking to work can burn as much fat as spending 40 minutes at the gym five times a week.

Boots immune system

Dr. David Nieman and colleagues conducted a study at Appalachian State University of over 1,000 adults up to the age of 85. In the study, they found that regular cycling had huge benefits for the upper respiratory system. In fact, people can reduce their sick days by about 40% by cycling most days of the week. Other experts also attest to the fact that regular exercise can boost the immune system by increasing the production of essential proteins and waking up white blood cells.

Builds muscle

As stated previously, the resistance you experience while cycling helps you burn fat. That resistance element also helps you build muscle. This is especially true for your hamstrings, glutes, calves, and quads. Muscle is leaner than fat, and people with higher percentages of muscle burn more calories and build stronger muscles.


These health benefits are undeniable, and they're inspiring as well. If you're ready to start the cycling life, you've come to the right place. Check out our inventory for custom bicycles, cartridge bottom brackets, bike stems, and more. You can build your dream bike and start your new journey to a healthy lifestyle today.

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4 Best Care Practices For Every Beginner Bicycle Enthusiast

You love your new bike, and now you want to make sure it lasts through the years. Whether you like to ride it recreationally, to work, or even in races, there are many things you can do to keep your new bicycle in the best shape possible.

Keep it inside

Rain, snow, dirt, and moisture can do a serious number on your bicycle. The parts can wear out more quickly when you expose them to the elements more than necessary. This will end up costing you a lot of money in the long run because you'll have to replace parts before they really should need to be replaced. In addition, storing your bike indoors at night is the best way to ensure it doesn't get stolen from the bike rack, an unfortunately common crime.

Keep the tires inflated

One of the most important things you can do to take care of your bicycle is to keep the tires properly inflated at all times. If the tire pressure is too low, you have to work a lot harder to maintain your desired speed. It can also lead to more flats and potential crashes. You should keep them inflated even during your off-season times.

Test your brakes

Before you go out for a ride, you should test your brakes at least once a month. While standing, press your Dia Compe brake levers to see that the front and rear pads firmly grip the sides of the tires. If you have to pull your Dia Compe brake levers all the way to the handles to stop, and that still barely slows you down, then your pads need to be replaced.

Oil up the chain

Your track chain should never be dry to the touch. If it is, you should clean it and oil it. Wipe it down with rags and then apply bike lubricant on each link. As you do, slowly peddle backward, grabbing onto your toe clips, and distribute the oil. Finally, blot away any excess lubricant.


There are about one billion bicycles in the world today, which is roughly twice the number of motor vehicles. To take care of yours, make sure you follow the tips listed above. You can also check out our inventory so you can regularly replace parts you wear through like chainring bolts, track cranksets, Dia Compe brake levers, and more.

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4 Ways Riding A Bike Every Day Can Benefit Your Health: Part 1

It's no secret that riding a bike is a fun activity. People compete in races all around the world because they love cycling. Riding a bike isn't just for the pros though. Here are some ways that grabbing your bicycle handlebar end caps, carradice bags, bicycle toe clips, and long reach caliper brakes and riding your bike every day will benefit your health.

Helps Relieve Anxiety and Depression

When you exercise, your endorphins and adrenaline are released, giving you a feeling a euphoria. A study conducted by the YMCA showed that those who had a physically active lifestyle had a well-being score that was 32% higher than those who were inactive. Cycling also gives you the chance to spend more time outside which positively impacts mental health as well.

Improves Sleep

You can probably guess that regular cycling will improve your sleep because, as is the case with most forms of exercise, it tires you out. Researchers from the University of Georgia found that fitness results in a 2% drop in sleep problems for men and a 4% drop for women. The reduction in anxiety mentioned above also promotes higher quality sleep.

Helps Prevent Cancer

There have been many research studies published that show the relationship between exercise and certain cancers, especially breast cancer and colon cancer. The research demonstrates that if you participate in cycling, your chance of bowel cancer is reduced greatly. The research also suggests that regular cycling can also reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Injury Recovery

A recent study revealed that senior patients who experienced knee pain and osteoarthritis could actually improve their conditions by cycling. Compared to those who did not participate in cycling, those who did ride a bike saw significant improvements. This just goes to show that as we age, cycling can become a great method for healing.


More than 66.21 million people in American had gone cycling in the last 12 months as of the spring of 2017. Riding a bike can help your mental and physical health improve in many ways. If you want to add years onto your life by improve your mind and your body, then come to our shop and pick out a bicycle and handlebar end caps today.