Cycle to work day is 6 August and as a keen cyclist myself I was keen to try to encourage people to think about cycling to work on a regular basis.
Why would you?
- Good for your heart and your health – a study of 250,000 + people found that cycling to work is linked with a 45% lower risk of developing cancer and a 46% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to commuting by car or public transport. As little as 20 miles a week on a bike can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by half.
- Good for your joints – especially in the lower limb. The evidence strongly suggests that exercise like cycling works the joints and reduces the risk of arthritis and joint pain.
- Good for the planet, reduce your carbon footprint – well I think we all know about that one!
- Bike to work scheme – get a new bike and save the VAT – talk to your company, they may already be signed up for this and you get a shiny new bike (they are always the best days, new bike days!!)
- Trim up and lose weight – probably not many of us that wouldn’t benefit from a bit of this and great for your overall health.
- Get fitter – low impact, moderate intensity, great for fitness.
- Mental health benefits – exercising outside, taking time to enjoy the countryside is well proven to benefit your mental health.
- Save money – once you have bought the bike, it’s all free!!
- Save time – really, depends on your journey and your fitness but many journeys are quicker by bike in urban areas
- It will make you smarter and reduce cognitive decline – at least 30 mins a day of regular exercise has been shown to improve blood supply and reduce inflammation and the brain benefits too.
- You will live longer – regular exercise lengthens life, in fact.
- Better quality sleep – regular physical exercise helps you fall asleep and stay asleep, impacting overall health for the positive.
- Boost your immune system – increase vitamin D3 levels and on average people who cycle to work take fewer sick days than those who don’t.
- Allows you to get your exercise in whilst commuting, saving you time for other things.
What are the barriers to cycling?
Distance and hilly terrain – think about driving part of the way, sticking the bike on a rack and doing the traffic bit on a bike.
Maybe get an electric bike – so much more common these days and the price is coming down.
Weather – no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing!! A lot of work places have shower facilities if you have a wet journey in.
Lack of experience – talk to your local Triathlon club, bike club or bike shop – they will know someone who can take you out for a ride to build your confidence and give you some tips – call us at Walnut Grove and we can put you in touch with someone.
You don’t have to do it every day – a lot of people don’t go to the office everyday now but maybe plan 2-3 x a week perhaps depending on the weather.
Cycling to work is a win-win – good for you, good for the planet, so go for it.
