Benefits and Reasons to Cycle

Cycling improves your physical and mental health and well-being. Cycling fits into daily routines better than many other forms of exercise because it doubles up as transport to work.

Cycling and Mental and Physical Health

Millions of working days are lost each year through conditions like stress and anxiety, Cycling can have a dramatic impact on improving mental wellbeing. Here are four mental health advantages of cycling:

• Cycling makes us mentally sharper
• Cycling helps us to switch off
• Cycling helps us to manage stress and anxiety
• Cycling makes us happier

To find out more, visit Cyclescheme to view more benefits of cycling.

Cycling and the Economy

Our dependency on motorised road transport has significant economic costs on society. These include congestion, road casualties, physical inactivity and ill health. Cycling could substantially reduce these risks while strengthening local economies. On average cycle commuting employees take one less sick day per annual than non-cyclists, this saves the UK economy almost £83m.

Visit Cycling UK to find out more on the key facts on the benefits of cycling and how it can make a positive contribution to the economy:

• It’s good for the economy
• Reduces congestion
• Improves public health

Switching to a bike for your journey could save you approx £3,000 a year in comparison to the costs involved using a car or public transport. Visit Cyclescheme's article on how much money cycling can save you comparing different modes of transport.

Cycling and Carbon Footprint

According to The Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), bikes and e-bikes currently make up 6% of miles travelled in world cities. Unfortunately, the most popular mode of transport (car) is the most environmentally unfriendly one.

The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) states that most bicycles are not producing emissions at all, no fuel, no tank and no exhaust but they are food-powered and the energy which it produces to help a cyclist propel their bike.

For more information, visit ECF.