Commuting by bike

Thinking about ditching the car or public transport and commuting by bike? Commuting by bike is a great way to start the day and is proven to leave you feeling more focused and ready for yoru day at work. Aside from the fact its a great cardio vascular workout, you may save time, money, avoid the stress of public transport or being stuck in traffic and actually enjoy your journey to work!

Stress Busting

Incorporating pre-work exercise into your daily routine will leave you feeling focused, fresh and energised to tackle the day. As well as increasing your fitness levels, commuting by bike involves less stress than travelling by car or public transport. No longer will you get frustratingly stuck in traffic and many commuting routes now involve a car free journey through a park or along a stretch of water. There really is no better way to start your day and it's easy to get started.

Save Money

There are numerous ways commuting by bike can save you money. Depending on your circumstances you may decide to get rid of your car or become a one car household. Even if you keep your car you'll be saving considerable money on petrol and repairs. You could also reduce or cancel your gym membership as you'll be getting regular daily exercise.

You can also save money on a new bike thanks to the Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme.

Tax Free Bikes

Thanks to the government backed Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme you can save up to 42% on the cost of a new commuter bike. The cost of your new bike is spread over a number of months, so you can start cycling to work and use the money that you save on fuel or train tickets to pay for your new commuter steed. You’ll also need a helmet, lights and a waterproof jacket is a good idea too. Find out more

Improve your Health

There are numerous long-term health and well-being benefits to be gained from cycling to work.

Improve your fitness levels

The average commute by cycle is three miles in each direction. So if you commute every week day you'll reach the recommeneded amount of weekly activity without having to pay for gym mermbership. On average cyclists live two years longer than non-cyclists

Increase lung health

An article in the Guardian suggested cyclists actually experience less air pollution that those commuting by car, public transport or walking (unless they took detours to avoid the busy roads). It also found that air pollution reached relatively high levels inside cars, echoing a recent warning that cars are “boxes collecting toxic gases” Of course with cycling you also have the option of taking a more scenic route with even less pollution.

Lower your risk of illness

Studies by the British Medical Journal found that cyclists had a 45% less chance of getting cancer and a 46% less chance of developing heart disease. The study was based on 250,000 commuters in the UK over a period of five years. You may think that cycling can be dangerous but the study also found that cyclists had a 245 less chance of dying on their commute than other commuters.

Fewer sick days

It goes without saying that if you're less prone to illness and your fitness levels are good you'll be taking less days off work. So you'll have more days for holidays and feel fit and healthy to make the most of them. A Sustrans study showed that cyclists miss less than half the number of work days due to sickness compared to those who commute via alternative methods.

Improve mental health

A cliche but it rings true, a healthy body, a healthy mind. Cycling like other forms of exercise releases endorphins and adrenaline resulting in a more relaxed, happier state of mind. Arriving at work by bike will leave you ready to face the day and feeling more alert and awake. Cycling also results in increased blood flow to the brain which helps to keep your brain functioning properly and can have a long lasting effect into your later years. Many studies have shown that exercise results in a healthier, deeper, more restful sleep which contributes to a healthy mind.A 30-minute commute by bike is an ideal way to enhance your nights rest.

Control weight

It's estimated that riding a bike for 30 minutes every day will burn 5kg of fat over a year. You don't need to be riding flat out as steady cycling will soon have an effect. Cycling increases your metabolic rate, builds muscle and burns body fat.

For some people the thought of commuting by bike is a little daunting but once you start you'll soon see and feel the numerous benefits. Not only will your physical and mental health improve, you'll save money as well as help the environment.

SALE