Khaberni - Recent scientific reports focusing on biomechanics (biomechanics) reveal an astonishing superiority of the bicycle as a mode of transport over walking and running in terms of energy consumption, describing it as "the most efficient machine" designed by humans to cooperate with the body's natural movement.
Why does cycling use less energy?
According to the "Independent" newspaper, experts explained that cycling is four times more efficient than walking and eight times more efficient than running. This vast difference is due to several technical and biological factors:
Aerodynamics of movement: While walking and running require lifting the legs in a "wide arc" and expending effort to overcome gravity with each step, the legs move in tight, continuous circles on a bicycle, reducing motion waste.
Goodbye to foot impacts: Each step on the ground causes small collisions that dissipate energy in the form of heat and sound, while the bicycle wheels provide smooth rotation that prevents this energy loss.
Intelligence of gears: The gearing system allows the rider to maintain muscle work in the "optimal efficiency range"; instead of straining muscles at high speeds, the cyclist shifts gears to achieve greater power with less effort.
Exceptional cases: When is walking superior?
Despite these advantages, the report noted that the bicycle is not always the best choice. In cases of very steep inclines (exceeding 15%), walking becomes more effective, as it is difficult for the gearing system and muscle power to counteract gravity to lift both the rider and the bicycle.
Health benefits for joints
On the physical health front, the bicycle stands out as an ideal choice on downhill slopes; while walking downhill exerts pressures and shocks that may harm the joints, the bicycle allows for a completely smooth descent without any significant muscle effort, thus protecting the knees and ankles from the stress resulting from impacts on slopes.
In the end, experts say that when you ride a bicycle, you are not just using a mode of transport, but you are driving a machine designed to work in perfect harmony with your body's biology to conserve every possible bit of energy.
