My bike has become one of my closest friends. Any free morning I have, I pull on my helmet and zip down the street. Some evenings after dinner, my dad and I will follow the bike path through neighboring cities. All opportunities that arise to explore actively, I will take.

Cycling is one of the most beautiful pastimes to take up, and here you'll find the reasons why!

1. It's great exercise

Cycling at a moderate pace can burn nearly 650 calories per hour. Whether you take it up or down a notch doesn't matter, because you'll still be working out and keeping that body moving!

2. You're not bound to any one direction

This is one of the best qualities of a bike. If you feel like turning around, it's not a big deal — just hop out of the bike lane and (safely) cross the road to the other side. You can ride counter to the flow of traffic down a one-way street. I always have the feeling that the world is, truly, mine as I begin pedaling. Nothing screams "freedom" more.

3. Bikes are efficient

For the eco-friendly, this one is a no-brainer. Bikes don't need gas, so paying for a refilling is nonexistent. And bicyclists don't need to sit in traffic on the way to work. In the end, it saves time and money.

4. They're the best "windows-down" seat ever

Feel the wind in your face and the thrill of the outside world blurring past you. The natural elements of the world play around you and awaken the senses more than they ever could from the inside of a car.

5. You don't have to pay for parking

Just purchase a bike lock, and you're forever good to go.

6. It's calming

There's something about cycling that releases endorphins in us as we ride. Maybe it's that liberating sensation; maybe it's the outdoor experience. When it's nice out, we become restless and want to do anything involving movement. Whatever it may be, cycling is nothing but beneficial to us and our health, happiness and passions. At the end of a long day, all it may take is a little ride around to regain tranquility.