Half the Wheels, Twice the Fun!

23. June 2021

All 123 participants from CEITEC joined this year once again the BIKE TO WORK challenge. Employees of the two biggest CEITEC consortium partners – Masaryk University and Brno Technical University – made together 29 231 km on bikes and foot to motivate as many people as possible to learn to use a bike as a regular urban means of transportation or alternatively walk or run. This achieved distance corresponds to a journey from Brno to Australia and back. The CEITEC team nearly doubled its performance from last year, when the scientists made about 16 000 kilometers. The scientists are herewith trying to motivate the general population to join them on their mission of improving human health and life.

If more people switch from cars to bikes and other non-motorised vehicles, they will not only improve their physical condition, mood, and work relationships, but they will also jointly contribute to cleaner air and more pleasant, safer, and healthier cities where they live and work.

Scientists know that sport is better than medication and cheaper than a therapist

Sports is not only healthy for our body but can also help improve concentration and keep us mentally sharp. During 30 minutes or longer journey to work on bike or foot at least three times a week, one can improve mental abilities, including critical thinking, learning, and using good judgment.

Physical exercise can also help moderate stress. About 75% to 90% of doctor visits are for stress-related illnesses. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, the chemicals in your brain that relieve pain and stress. It also reduces the levels of stress hormones, cortisol, and adrenaline.

No wonder that the winning team in the frequency category was the BRAINS ON BIKE consisting of five neuroscientists from CEITEC. The team managed to commute to work on bike or foot on an everyday basis and achieved 100% regularity, and reached a distance of 2 068 kilometres.

Veronika Fabikova from the applied neuroscience research group was the overall winner of the competition (called How are you doing on a regular basis?) with 100% regularity and with achieved 755 kilometres on her bike. Structural biologist and passionate runner Karel Kubicek made 752 kilometres solely on foot. The greatest distance achieved David Potesil from the proteomics core facility. David cycled to work 1 442 km during the month of May, which comprises to about 70 kilometres per working day.

We would like to thank all of the participants that were involved in the Bike to Work challenge for their enthusiasm and their great representation of CEITEC. We are looking forward to next year’s challenge! Let´s cycle around the globe!

Winners of CEITEC internal competitions

1) How are you doing on a regular basis?

- Winner: Veronika Fabíková (100% regularity and 755 km distance)

2) How many kilometers can you cover on foot?

- Winner: Karel Kubicek (752 km)

3) How many kilometers can you cycle?

- Winner David Potesil (1442 km)

4) How much exercise can you handle?

- Winner: xx

5) Team Spirit? (Frequency)

- Winner: Team Brains on Bikes (100% regularity a 2068 km) – Lubomír Vojtíšek, Marie Kudličková Pešková, Veronika Fabíková, Pavel Daniel, Petr Kudlička