Biking, be it by pulling up alongside fellow riders during your commute to school or work, or simply traveling by two-wheels around the neighborhood or campus, or joining a group ride or event, like the open streets festival CicLAvia, leads to opportunities to interact with others, building connections and community – both of which contribute to better mental health.

According to the League of American Bicyclists, “when you see other cyclists, the social interaction provides opportunities for meaningful conversation, shared experience, and the cultivation of supportive relationships, all of which are essential for maintaining good mental health.”

Riding offers opportunities for social experiences. In the street, on the sidewalk, within your city, and at UCLA. Biking opens up the world to you by not being trapped inside a car. By getting along on two wheels, you can build relationships with like-minded individuals and strengthen a sense of community. 

Here are some of the ways pedaling propels beneficial human connection:

• Everyone can enjoy two-wheeling: kids and families, pet owners (bring your furry friend!), older adults, and individuals with any physical, cognitive, or sensory needs, for which tailored adaptive equipment is available.
• Look no further than campus, at the UCLA Bike Shop, or other bike shops on the Westside or in your own neighborhood as hubs for meeting like-minded people who also value traveling on two wheels.
• Several non-profit organizations throughout Los Angeles are dedicated to supporting active transportation and invite Bruins to be a part of the community. There's BikeLA, Streets for All, Walk and Rollers, Sawtelle Bikes, CicLAvia, and more to engage with. Metro Bike Share also hosts regular, free, or low-cost community bike rides.
• Digitally connect with fellow cyclists online, too, through apps like Strava and platforms like our very own UCLA Love to Ride community.

Joining other bicyclists, engaging with bike organizations, or attending riding events will all help enrich your social life and have a positive impact on mental health. The Mayo Clinic, a top-ranked, nonprofit academic medical center in the U.S., shares that developing relationships and social engagement, achievable through an activity such as biking, increases happiness and security, boosts feelings of belonging, improves self-esteem, lowers stress, reduces the risk of depression and anxiety, and even provides cognitive support.

Photo Credit: CicLAvia