Cycling is a sustainable way to travel - so it's far better for the environment than driving or taking public transport. By cycling short local journeys instead of driving you're making a real difference and reducing your carbon emissions.
But cycling offers more than just environmental benefits. It's a way to exercise without really noticing it. It saves you time and money. It gives you a sense of freedom.
In cities, cycling is often the quickest form of transport - especially when you consider door-to-door journey time. If you cycle, you avoid the hassles of waiting for a bus, queuing in traffic or finding a car-parking space.
Cycling also provides a reliable and consistent journey time, as you’re not affected by traffic jams and road closures. So if you commute by bike you can be sure of the time it will take you to get to work – and enjoy a longer lie-in in the morning with the time you're saving!
Regular cycling provides a great work-out that is easily incorporated into your daily routine. If you cycle to work you won’t need to set aside extra time for the gym as you’ve already done your exercise for the day. If you have to travel to work it makes sense to get more out of your commute.
Once you have a bike, cycling is a free form of transport. Compare this to the costs of fuel and parking, or bus or train fares. Think how much less fuel you will use if you cycle to work - even just once or twice a week.
Buying a decent bike need not be expensive – and if you use it regularly it will soon pay for itself. Many employers now offer cycle to work schemes, which allow you to purchase a bike at a tax-free cost and spread payments over a period of time, usually through a salary sacrifice arrangement. This allows employees to save up to 40% on the cost of a new bike. Check if your employer offers a cycle to work scheme - it's worth asking them to consider setting one up if nothing is currently provided.
Individuals that register and record cycle journeys on The CarbonCycle website can see personal and company performance in terms of miles cycled, carbon emissions saved and calories burnt. Recording your journeys is a great incentive to keep cycling - it's amazing how quickly the miles add up and this website will help you keep a track on progress.
Anyone can sign up and use The CarbonCycle website. If your employer is participating in the initiative you can register under their name - your journeys will then contribute to your company performance, although you will have your individual profile. Please click here to get started.
If you wish to make your employer aware of this website please click here and we'll contact them about participation. Alternatively, you can register independently of an organisation here .
BikeRight! want to see more people cycling more of their journeys. To help achieve this we improve people's experience of cycling through our National Standards Cycle Training courses.
The National Standards for Cycle Training have been developed by over 20 organisations and are maintained by the professional body for cycle training, the Cycle Training Standards Board (CTSB). All members of the CTSB, including BikeRight!, are the UK's leading bodies in road safety and cycling.
BikeRight! offers individual and group training at all levels, from learn to ride sessions through to advanced cycling on busy roads. For more information take a look at the BikeRight! website. Training sessions have something to offer everyone, whether you are new to cycling or have been using a bicycle for years. Even if you cycle regularly there are many benefits of attending a training session:
Improve communication with other road users
Understand your positions on the road and increase your safety and visibility
Learn how to navigate complex junctions such as roundabouts
Perform manoeuvres involving lane changes and filtering
Refresh your knowledge of urban cycling or improve current experience