"What is the value of a bike path? What's the value of commuting without polluting? What's the value of a good walk, a long run or a pleasant bike ride? What's the value of clean air? What's the value of a healthy life?"

Recently, these questions were posed in the Napa Valley Register in an opinion by Tim Thulin titled "Bike paths; A step in right direction." Apparently, some local folks in the Napa area view bike trails as costly/wasteful projects used by a select few and Tim's opinion was an attempt to explain the benefits of multi-use trails.

Though Tim's opinion was sound, he didn't assess the value of the bike trail in dollars and cents. As people pay attention to money, I thought it worthwhile to demonstrate how a trail can easily pay for itself by cutting healthcare costs. Here's what I wrote:

A bike trail may sound expensive - until we consider the role that it can play in keeping health care costs in check.

We Americans are more obese and inactive than ever. As a result, diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, etc. are all on the rise. Sure, we can control many diseases/illnesses with medication, surgery, etc. but that is costly. For example, the average open heart surgery costs $150,000. If building a $10 million bike trail prevents the need for just 67 open heart surgeries, the trail has paid for itself. Such is the value of exercise.

If we are going to reverse unhealthy behaviors like overeating, healthy behaviors must be more attractive. Bike trails make walking, jogging & biking more attractive, providing a car free place for families, seniors, etc. to exercise/recreate.

Respectfully,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com
Urging bicycling for recreation, commuting, health and a better future.

Labels: bike trail benefits, fitness, healthcare, Napa Valley, obesity, open heart surgery

Over the course of the typical day, I Google a variety of subjects related to bicycling and fitness. This morning in one of my searches, I came across "Buzzword of the 21st Century: OBESITY ... Adult and Childhood," an excellent post about obesity from Bonnie Murphy (see photo at right), a fitness coach in Anchorage, Alaska.

Essentially, Bonnie's point is that our bodies are made for movement. Staying physically fit requires changes in attitudes and the choices we make. Amen to that!

Since Bonnie's post was in Womens Health And Fitness Podcast Directory, I may have ruffled the feathers of some fems by doing this but I (a man) posted a reply supporting Bonnie. Here's the gist of what I wrote:

"The obesity epidemic is societal. Stopping the epedemic is within the means of any loving parent. All we must do is look at the behaviors we are teaching our children and alter them.

Identify physical activities that are within the capabilities of the entire family and make those activities part of a fun, daily routine. Once physical activity is presented in a positive light, our children will embrace it for life."

We are the sum result of the choices we make. If you're unhappy with the person you are or see in the mirror, there is a miracle cure: physical activity. Take a dose every day; you won't regret it.

For more about Bonnie Murphy, visit her website (www.bfitandwell.com). If you set your own weights but would like someone knowledgeable to encourage your fitness program, Bonnie is also a Fitness By Phone personal trainer so give her a call.

Labels: Bonnie Murphy, fitness, obesity