Here are all my excuses for not taking a bike ride.

I feel I will exert myself too much, possibly causing a heart attack.

I will not be able to get to a bathroom fast enough.

I may get completely exhausted and can’t peddle home.

I can’t keep up with my biking companions.

My back and neck ache after a few miles.

I have had several cardiologists tell me that biking is a great exercise for seniors. First and foremost, it gets you off the couch and in the fresh air. When you are peddling along you are prone to enter a fantasy zone that takes you away from your usual everyday thoughts. You can feel ageless. That’s a good thing.

Also, the misconception about biking is that it is only good for young people. That’s not true at all. In fact, a physical trainer told a male friend of mine that bike riding is not a true workout. It may be a great exercise for riders who do 40 miles a day but for the average person it just gets the heart pumping more than usual.

For those senior folks who would love to ride a bike but really need assistance along the way, let me remind you that there is such a thing called electric bikes. You can peddle manually or turn the switch for the motor to take over. You feel like you are on a quasi scooter. It is that simple. Electric bikes come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges.

I have included a recent New York Times article that covers electric bikes. Here is a link to a site that will show you a wide range of electric bikes and various prices. Be sure to watch the video above to see a collapsible electric bike.

Happy peddling!