Cycle to Work Day is for everyone, including new cyclists, not-cycled-since-school cyclists, and every day cyclists!
What is Cycle to Work Day?
It is a day dedicated to encouraging the workforce to try cycling to their workplace. There are so many benefits to ditching the car- mental, physical, environmental, and financial.
What’s matters is jumping on a bike, giving it a go and joining a community of cyclists sharing all that’s good about cycling to work.
What exactly are the benefits?
Time saving: Cycling to work is 50% quicker than driving in rush hour.
Environmental: 133,442 tonnes of CO2 is saved each year by people cycling to work.
Health: Cycling to work for just three days a week burns 1,000 calories. The average person loses 14lbs in their first year of cycling to work.
Financial: The cost of cycling to work for a full year sits at around £396. Meanwhile, taking the bus costs £625 per year, skyrocketing to £3,727 to drive – that’s a hike of more than 800%.
Mental wellbeing: Research has shown that cycling to work reduces stress and anxiety, combats depression, increases self-esteem and even boosts productivity.
Peritus Health’s Cycling Star
Our Occupational Health Screening Nurse, Stuart, cycles to work most days and has shared his reasons for this:
“I have cycled for a few years, and using a bicycle for my commute has become second nature. This is to the point that I go out in all weather, working early in the morning, being in the office, or doing a night shift.
One of the most common questions I get is about my safety on the road. With the recent changes to the Highway Code, I feel a sense of empowerment and freedom. The increased awareness and safety measures for cyclists have made my journey not just safer, but also more enjoyable.
Cycling to work has brought about noticeable benefits in my life. It’s not just about the physical health improvement, but also the mental well-being. I have time to prepare my thoughts for the day and then, on the ride home, reflect on how the day has gone. It’s a positive, holistic approach to my well-being that I believe many of you can relate to.
Another aspect of my cycling routine that I find rewarding is the positive impact it has on the environment. By monitoring my commute through online apps, I’ve calculated that I save over 20kg of CO2 on average. This is a small but significant step towards a greener, more sustainable future.”
Give it a go!
Even after Cycle to Work Day 2024, you can continue the challenge by joining in with Cycle September. Head to Home : Love to Ride UK for more details.
Visit CycleScheme.co.uk & the Office for National Statistics for more information about cycling to work.