It’s National Bike Month, and there is no better time than May to experience the many benefits of riding a bicycle.
I attended a breakfast a few months ago in Garden City where Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke told attendees that kids being able to ride bikes safely in their neighborhoods is one of the great things about living in Idaho.
He’s right, but bikes aren’t just for children. Bicycles provide a great form of exercise, transportation, and social connection for people of all ages and abilities. It’s a trifecta for good health. At the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, we understand the importance of being physically active and how that also positively affects our mental well-being.
Cycling is my main form of exercise when I’m not walking the dog. It’s been that way since 2017, when I started riding my bike to work every day. I noticed the mental and physical health benefits right away. The 7.5-mile ride each way was a workout. I felt great and found myself in a better mood at the start of the day. The ride home was a great way to leave work behind, not have to deal with 5 p.m. traffic, and I could build up an appetite for dinner!
I began riding to other places that weren’t work — the grocery store, errands, social outings. During the pandemic, I participated in social distance bike rides and alley-cat scavenger races and met great people I remain friends with today. Those Thursday night rides kept me sane during the 2020 madness. I rode a bike every day in 2021. I’ve logged more than 1,000 miles riding in 2026 and haven’t had to buy gas for my car since December.
Now I see more bikes than ever, especially e-bikes and adult tricycles, when I’m commuting or just out on a ride. I’ve watched kids in our neighborhood drop training wheels and ride around on two wheels with confidence. The number of seniors and families I see riding the greenbelt is inspiring. It’s great to see so many others reaping the benefits of a fun, healthy activity.
We’re celebrating the 25th birthday of the Foundation in 2026, and cycling has been a part of our DNA since our founding. The first philanthropic events we offered were community bike rides, first called “Wheels for Wellness” and later renamed “Blue Cruise.” These family-friendly rides promoted and provided physical activity, as well as the social connection that plays a huge role in our mental well-being.
The Foundation has shifted its focus from event-based philanthropy to a systems-level approach, but bicycle projects that impact health still show up in our grantmaking. Here are some examples:
- We’ve supported the Boise Bicycle Project, which helped the nonprofit organization expand its reach and include better equipment, safety training, and advocacy work.
- In Twin Falls, our grant funding to the city led to the creation of a mountain bike skills park that is used by many junior-high, high-school, and adult riders.
- The City of Gooding attended our Community Health Academy and is using the grant funding toward a BMX bike park that is under construction.
- A “toddler track” for small children who use strider-bikes was built in the City of Orofino’s city park. Grant funds also purchased bikes that can be borrowed for kids to ride.
Cycling is a lifelong activity, and it’s never too late to start. This month is the perfect time to start riding, or ride more. Celebrate Bike to Work Week (May 11-17) and/or Bike to Work Day (May 15).
Can’t ride to work? Try riding a bike to somewhere you normally wouldn’t, such as a friend’s house, restaurant, or store. Go for a ride with your kids, grandchildren, or parents. You’ll find that it’s good for your physical and mental health.