Commuting to work on your bicycle
18 April 2008
Now that the clocks have gone forward, it is now pleasantly light during the periods we travel to and from work. It is therefore a perfect time to start ditching your car in favour of commuting to work on a bicycle. The chances are that you will be surprised how many of the things that tend to put us off cycling, turn out to be untrue.
One particularly important myth to dispel is our perceptions about how dangerous cycling is, especially on roads during the rush hour. Last year in Warwickshire there were absolutely no fatalities caused by bicycle related accidents. According to the British Medical Association the health benefits of cycling heavily outweigh the small risks. Twenty minutes of gentle cycling burns up to 100 calories. Regular cycling makes you fitter, and over time can make you as fit as an average person ten years younger.
Another important factor to consider when cycling to work is making sure you have a comfortable outfit to travel in. If you are concerned about travelling on a bike, wearing impractical office garb, you will find that just some simple planning ahead means that freshening up and changing when you arrive at work is a superior solution. Pacing yourself on the way and not over-exerting your body, means that you will arrive without even breaking a sweat!
So far, so good. Yet I can imagine many people saying that they do not want to fork out hundreds of pounds for a reliable bike. This leads me to the most exciting point. Not long ago the government introduced an under-publicised tax incentive called Cycle to Work. This initiative gave every employer the opportunity to provide tax free bikes and accessories to any employee interested in commuting to their workplace.
It is relatively straightforward for employers to set up purchase schemes, as there are a number of ready made packages available. Most bike shops have information about this. If you can't persuade your employer to set up a purchase scheme, or if you don't want to get a new bicycle, there are always second hand bikes for sale. Don't forget that Action 21's Recycle Warehouse generally has a range of second-hand bikes.
When one establishes a solid commuting routine on a bike then traffic jams, restricted parking zones, unreliable public transport becomes a thing of the past. You will find that your journey time is predictable - bringing peace of mind rather than driving and arriving at work stressed out. This leaves you to enjoy the flexible and spontaneous experience of travelling by bicycle.