As Tennesseans celebrate National Bike to Work Week, a new ranking shows they now have more bike friendly paths and roadways to travel. The League of American Cyclists recently announced their third annual Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) rankings. Tennessee jumped an astounding 19 spots in one year, climbing to 24th place this year from a ranking of 43rd in the 2009 report.

"I'm pleased to see this marked improvement in Tennessee's bicycle friendly ranking, but there is much work left to do," said Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner (TDOT) Gerald Nicely. "Clearly one area where improvement is needed is educating the public about safe bicycling and driving practices."

The ranking lists Tennessee as fifth in the nation for 2010 legislation, 11th for programs, 17th for infrastructure, 19th for evaluation, 27th for enforcement and 41st for education.

The Bicycle Friendly States rankings were first conducted in 2008 and are conducted annually, with all questions and methodology remaining consistent to track states' progress. The BFS rankings are based on a 95-item questionnaire that evaluates a state's commitment to bicycling and covers six key areas: legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education and encouragement, evaluation and planning, and enforcement. The League offers feedback and technical assistance to states in an effort to improve their ranking as well as overall conditions for bicycling.

"The improvement in Tennessee's ranking is due in large part to the better collaboration among TDOT, regional and municipal planners, legislators, advocates, and sharing of information across the state," Tom Evans, founder and Secretary/Treasurer of Bike Walk Tennessee, said. "We'll use the 2010 rankings and feedback as a guide to prioritize efforts for future improvements."

To view the 2010 BFS Rankings list, complete with BFS awards and a breakdown of how the states fared in each evaluation category, please visit www.bikeleague.org. For more information on the Bicycle Friendly States program and the state rankings, e-mail Meghan Cahill at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pictured: A bicyclist and jogger cross a bike/pedestrian bridge in Chattanooga (image courtesy of TDOT)

(ARA) - Trying to lose weight could cost you a lot of money - gym memberships, special diet foods, exercise equipment for your home or even hiring a personal trainer.

But there are ways you can lose weight without spending a lot of money. You will still need dedication, time and a willingness to make changes in your life to achieve your goal. Here are some inexpensive ways to lose weight and stay fit:

* Start a neighborhood walking club. Invite neighbors who have dogs to come along. Or join a local pick-up game of dodgeball, basketball or racquetball. At the most, you'll need the equipment for the game. Set a weekly time for games and a daily time for the walks. Having other people involved will help encourage you to continue moving and exercising.

* Add healthy ingredients that benefit your body to your daily menu. For example, relaxing with a cup of natural tea can help you reduce body fat and increase your metabolism rate. Oolong tea contains rich amino acids and cellulose, which can help lower your cholesterol levels. Green tea leaves contain vitamins C and E and a good amount of fiber. If you prefer black tea, its benefits include help with digestion.

Drinking a cup of tea (without the sugar or cream calories added) after each meal will help you slowly dissolve fat in your body. Premium tea leaves give you the best quality and best taste. Teawan (www.Teawan.com) has both quality tea and teaware products from Taiwan. You can choose tea bags or loose leaf options, depending on your preference.

* Do your own home workout. Grab a full jug of laundry detergent and use it for some lifting. If you're looking for something lighter, fill a plastic bottle with water to use as a weight. Start dancing around your house and in no time you'll break a sweat. This is great for cardiovascular exercise, and enjoyable if you can crank up your favorite tunes.

* Borrow a fitness video from the library and tone your body with the experts. Repeat the video several times and then switch it for a new one from the library. If you have cable or satellite television, tune into some of the fitness channels for different programs. You'll find styles ranging from yoga workouts to belly dancing to step aerobics. Set specific times each week to run through a 30-minute workout.

* Clean the house. Pushing a vacuum at a rapid pace is good exercise. So is scrubbing floors or bathtubs. These activities also are good for toning muscles.

Don't let money keep you from accomplishing your goal of losing weight and getting fit. If one exercise or activity gets boring, switch to another to keep your workout fresh and to target different muscles. And organize a plan with a friend or family member so you can help keep each other on task to accomplishing both of your goals.

Courtesy of ARAcontent