The Spirit of Cycling
Cycling is environmentally friendly and often GPs prescribe cycling to work for heart or circulation conditions even in moderation!
If you have any doubts concerning your health, please check with your GP or Occupational Health.
By cycling to work wholly or partly on cycleways, shared paths and quiet roads, you could be :-
breathing fresh air,
smelling plants and flowers,
hearing birds in the hedgerows,
seeing plants, flowers, fruits and wildlife,
feeling a breeze (even on a still day),
avoiding traffic jams
and arrive at work invigorated with blood circulating properly - fit for anything!
Terry Miller
Cycling on Prescription
At the Southmead Feel Good Day in May - Cyclewest had displays. These included a leaflet Health on Wheels Cycling on Prescription.
Regular physical exercise (e.g. Cycling) can help keep you fit by reducing or eliminating the need for anti-hypertensive medication prevent 1/3 of coronary heart disease cases prevent 1/4 of strokes lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity. Because the cycle takes the weight of the body, much less pressure is exerted on the joints whilst cycling.
If your GP or another Healthcare professional has advised you to take more exercise, Cyclewest can arrange for their Health on Wheels coordinator, who is an enthusiastic cyclist to help you if they think trying cycling (or returning to it) might help.
The leaflet concludes Health on Wheels is a two-year project funded by the local Primary Care Trusts and managed by Cycle West.
Cycle West's Health on Wheels coordinator - Phillipa Royle was at Southmead Feel Good Day and she explained that Healthcare professionals were very supportive and enthusiastic of the scheme. They cater for all ages and all abilities including complete beginners.
Referral - via a referral form, which can be obtained from Philippa if the healthcare professionals does not have one.
Philippa Royle's Email address is shown on their leaflet as health@lifecycleuk.org.uk
She is mentioned in their Annual Report 2002.
Terry Miller
