Biking vs. Cycling – Learn The Difference Today

Written by Dan Paul
Updated on
biking vs cycling explained
Biking vs. Cycling article key points:

- Biking can be done on any bike for leisure purposes. 
- Cycling is an activity that is used for exercising or racing.
- Biking is free, healthy and environment-friendly way to get around.
- Cycling burns more calories and have more health benefits.

Biking and cycling are two different things. Biking is using a bike to travel from one place to another. Cycling, on the other hand, refers to using a bicycle for sport or exercise. Though they share some similarities, several key distinctions between biking and cycling set them apart. 

Let’s have a closer look at these two activities and explore what makes them unique.

What is biking?

Biking is when someone uses a bike to get around. Sometimes people define biking as driving a motorbike.

There are different types of bikes that people can use for biking. For example, some people might use a mountain bike to ride on mountain trails, while others use the same bike for professional mountain biking. Also, some people use road bikes to go biking on the street or heavy-duty bicycles to carry around their children or pets.

There are over 21 different bike types available on the market. Some of them are:

  • Road bikes
  • Touring bikes
  • Hybrid bikes
  • Mountain bikes
  • Cruiser bikes
group of cyclists during their outdoor session

What is cycling?

The word cycling comes from Latin and it means circle or wheel. Cycling is when someone uses a bike for exercise or competition purposes. It can be divided into two sub-categories: track cycling and time trial cycling. Here is what they mean.

Track cycling

Track cycling (also called sprint cycling) is a type of indoor cycling that is all about speed. The cyclists race against each other on a track to see who can finish first.

There are multiple distances available. For example, there is sprint cycling distance which consists only of 3 laps. While pursuit cycling can be done individually or in a team and the distance is between 3km and 4 km.

Most racing events are held on specially built-race tracks.

Time trial cycling

Time trial cycling is outdoor cycling that is all about endurance and racing against the clock. It can be done individually and in a team. For example, a team can consist of up to 4 members and the total distance needed to be covered 100km or 60 miles. 

What are the main differences between biking and cycling?

The main difference between biking and cycling is that biking is done on a regular bicycle for leisure purposes. 

Cycling is done on a bike modified for racing or exercise. Cycling can occur indoors on a track or on paved roads or trails. Cycling professionals tend to wear specific clothing to improve their performance. 

What are the advantages of biking vs. cycling?

Biking is a fun way to get around, whether biking for pleasure or commuting to work. Here are the key advantages of biking. 

First, biking is a very affordable way to get around. You only need a regular bicycle and no special clothes or equipment are required.

Second, biking is a very healthy way to get around. It’s a great form of exercise and can help to keep your body weight and stay in shape year-round.

Third, biking is environmentally friendly, doesn’t produce emissions, and helps reduce traffic jams. 

So, if you’re looking for a healthy, affordable, and environmentally-friendly way to get around, biking is a perfect choice! 

What are the advantages of cycling vs. biking?

There are several reasons why cycling is better than biking:

Cycling is a great way how to keep your fitness levels above average. Any form of cycling, whether done on a track or outdoors, will burn over 500 calories during 60 minutes workout. 

How does cycling impact your health?

Cycling has lots of different health benefits. It burns more calories than leisure biking which helps lose weight and builds muscle. When cycling, you are using your core and leg muscles when pedaling. Over time these muscles become stronger and more durable. 

Cycling also improves cardiovascular health. Regular cycling sessions help reduce the risk of heart disease and help to improve overall heart health. 

People who ride bicycles have a stronger immune system and better sleep. A good cycling session helps to feel asleep faster and have better sleep quality. 

people biking in the city

Biking vs. Cycling Conclusion

Biking and cycling are two popular ways to get around, but there are some key differences between the two activities. Biking is done on a regular bicycle, while cycling is done on a bike modified for racing or exercise. 

Cycling can be divided into sub-categories like track, road, or off-road cycling. Cyclists typically wear appropriate clothing to boost their performance and feel more comfortable during their training or riding events.

There is also a possibility to cycle indoors at home on a stationary bike. Many cyclists prefer this option during the autumn and winter season. There are also available online classes called cycling spinning classes. For participating in an online spine class, all you need is a stationary bike and an application, for example, Peloton.

Biking doesn’t need much besides the right bike type, correct sizing and good mood. Biking is a leisure activity and can be done anywhere, for example, on a paved road, mountain trail or specific bike path you like.

There are also some advantages of cycling over biking. Cycling burns more calories per hour and has a better impact on health like overall fitness condition, muscle mass, stronger immune system and deeper sleep. 

Cycling is a perfect choice if you’re looking for an affordable, healthy and environmentally-friendly way to get around. 

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AUTHOR

Dan is the owner of Sportscalorie. His mission is to educate people through his own experience. He proudly says that cycling changed his life.