One of the best forms of exercise is cycling. It not only gives you the thrill of having a personal vehicle to transport yourself without being too heavy on your pocket but it also is a great form of exercising. However, with the increase in pollution in bigger cities, many people who were enthusiastic cyclists have now stopped cycling on a regular basis due to their inability to protect themselves from air pollution. In the times where air pollution has ravaged all the major cities, we would be sharing some tips on protecting cyclists from air pollution.
It is important that cyclists protect themselves from the fumes released by vehicles and other air pollutants as prolonged exposure to such chemicals which may cause serious health issues in the long run. Off late especially due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks of various types have been popularised by cyclists. These masks range anything from something as simple as a cloth all the way till full-face respirators. While masks like the N95 mask, 3 plies surgical mask and full face mask do a decent job in filtering out some of the pollutants but they are not 100% effective.
While wearing masks may solve a part of the problem, it is essential that cyclists take note of the air pollution forecasts in their area and plan their cycling journeys accordingly. Even a small adjustment to their journey plans can go a long way in helping the cyclists to travel during times when there is less pollution around them. Cyclists should also look to avoid traffic signals or other areas where there is a lot of traffic as much as possible. Staying near areas that have a lot of vehicles exposes cyclists to a significant amount of fumes.
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Cyclists may also consider reducing the speed at which they ride so as to reduce quick and heavy breathing which in turn would reduce the amount of polluted air intake. Changing routes can be another effective way to reduce respiratory diseases due to air pollution among cyclists. Also, it is recommended that cyclists go on their journeys when there is less traffic around as again it would reduce their exposure to the harmful gases released by the
As we all know cold air is denser than warm air and so in winter the pollution tends to remain intact in the atmosphere a lot more in winter than in summer. This density in turn leads to heavy breathing in winters. Now, this is good in terms of fitness but is it good enough for cyclists to risk their breathing over it? That something we ought to think about!
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Deep breathing is one of the most important ways to ensure good and healthy breathing in these conditions. Another effective way can be, to breathe from your stomach, this would reduce direct pressure on your lungs and ensure continuity in breathing. One can also resolve to breathe in through the mouth and breathing out through the nose from time to time. This should be done at regular intervals for a steady flow of oxygen in the body.
Conclusion
While pollution is something that has been plaguing our cities for quite some time now, there is no denying the fact that it's fairly possible for cyclists to continue their activities. A few adjustments to the cycling schedule along with usage of masks can surely go a long way in preventing the cyclists from getting exposed to harmful pollutants in the atmosphere.
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