This is a sponsored post.
Today marks exactly eight weeks since the UK entered lockdown and while England has already begun to lift some of its restrictions, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland remain under strict lockdown. Besides being able to leave the house to shop for groceries or to seek medical assistance, we are now allowed to exercise an unlimited number of times each day, provided we stay within our local area. This has got me thinking about all the different ways to travel locally – and legally – which can help us to keep fit, besides driving or walking (please, tell me it’s not just me who’s fed up of strolling around the same old streets day-in, day-out!)
So, here are three unique ways to explore your local area while also keeping fit!
3 Weird and Wonderful Ways to Travel Locally
1. Cycling
Walking aside, cycling is probably the one of the most popular ways to travel locally without jumping in the car.
If you’re fed up of seeing the same old streets or visiting the same park day-in-day-out, cycling could be a great way for you to experience a change of scenery, without venturing too far away from home. What’s more, cycling is a wonderful way to keep fit and once you’ve invested in a roadworthy bike, it’s completely free too.
Just ensure you brush up on the Highway Code for cyclists and wear a protective helmet that meets safety regulations, light or fluorescent clothing and, at night time, reflective clothing and/or accessories.
2. Tricycling
If you’re struggling to balance on two wheels or perhaps just enjoy cycling but fancy changing things up a bit, tricycling could be right up your street.
Otherwise known as ‘trikes’, tricycles are three-wheeled bikes which actually predate their two-wheel counterparts by around a century and a half. Adult tricycles have a separate bottom bracket connected to a rear axle via a chain, while children’s tricycles (like the popular Jorvik Electric Child Carrier Tricycle, for example) don’t have this feature.
Besides providing better stability, tricycles are easier to dismount than regular bikes and also benefit from the ability to stand upright while stationery. Plus, you’ll feel like the bees knees when you’re riding down the street on your shiny new trike (handlebar streamers optional)! Just don’t forget to wear exactly the same safety gear you would when riding your bicycle.
3. Roller-skating
Our sense of adventure has been greatly suppressed in recent weeks, but there are still some opportunities for thrill-seekers to get their kicks without venturing too far away from home.
For an instant adrenaline rush and a touch of nostalgia, don a pair of roller skates and see how far you can get. You’ll need to take it easy at first to ensure you can keep your balance without falling over – don’t go too fast, as you wouldn’t want to risk injuring yourself or someone else. The law is currently unclear about roller-skating on pavements, but as long as you’re respecting the personal space of others and politely slowing down or dismounting when approaching pedestrians – especially on narrow pathways – you’re unlikely to end up getting into any major trouble for it.
Again, remember to wear the correct protective equipment; generally, you’ll need a decent helmet, kneepads, wrist guards and elbow pads at the least.
Have you used any of these forms of transportation to explore your local area recently? Share your experiences below.
If you enjoyed this post, you should check out these similar reads:
- How to Document Your Travels So You’ll Never Forget Them
- Responsible Tourism: 5 Tips for Ethical Travel
- Why You Should Consider a Holiday in the UK (Post-Lockdown)
This is a sponsored post.