National Bike Week is May 14-18. May 18 is National Bike to Work Day. The entire month of May, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, is National Bike Month. Use this opportunity to help your clients take fitness to the next level.

Your job is to encourage clients to live healthier lives through fitness and nutrition. And, that should extend beyond the gym. Fitness is a lifestyle—it’s full time. Not just a one-hour session, three times a week. While you can’t be with your clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can give them the tools they need to stay active and healthy when you aren’t around.

Bike week is a tool you can give your clients. Since they are coming to you, it means they already have an interest in physical fitness. So, it shouldn’t be a huge challenge to encourage them to try something new. Although, don’t be surprised if you’re met with some resistance.

Most Americans have a bit of an attachment to their vehicles. Asking them to use a bicycle in place of their beloved auto for their daily commute may not be the most popular idea. Just be prepared when you hear some opposition to the idea.

Some Facts from the League of American Bicyclists

1. More than half the US population lives within five miles of their workplace
2. Thirty minutes of moderate physical activity can reduce incidents of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension and improve mental health and cardio-vascular fitness. Why not bike?
3. Cars are the single largest source of U.S. air pollution. Short trips are up to three times more polluting per mile than long trips. When bicycling is substituted for short car trips, 3.6 pounds of pollutants per mile are not emitted into the atmosphere. More bicycles used mean a smaller carbon footprint.
4. Chicago hosts several Car vs. Bus vs. Bike Commuter Races. Motorists, bus passengers and cyclists all start and end the morning rush hour at the same spots, but may take distinctly different routes. The bicyclist always wins.

Remember, you don’t have to convince your clients to bike to work every day. You just have to convince them to try it once, on May 18th. If you can do that, you’ve given them a way to add a little exercise into their daily routine. Fitness is a lifestyle not something that you do – once in a while!

Angie Pattengale