Cycling to work has many benefits but it’s not something that’s been widely adopted in the UK, compared to somewhere like the Netherlands, where it’s part of their DNA! This is mostly due to the Dutch having the right infrastructure in place – we’re many years behind!
That said, commuting to work is slowly increasing in England. A recent study by Cycling UK shows that whilst travelling to work by bike took a big dip in 2020 compared to previous years (no surprise when most people were working from home!) it increased by 7% in 2021.
At RideOn, our mission is to contribute to that growth both locally and nationally through e-bike hires and sales and by sharing our vision of a brighter more sustainable future on two wheels!
To get started, we want to highlight five ways in which cycling to work, on an e-bike can benefit you, not only by saving time or money, but also your physical and mental health.
Cycling to work has many benefits but it’s not something that’s been widely adopted in the UK, compared to somewhere like the Netherlands, where it’s part of their DNA! This is mostly due to the Dutch having the right infrastructure in place – we’re many years behind!
That said, commuting to work is slowly increasing in England. A recent study by Cycling UK shows that whilst travelling to work by bike took a big dip in 2020 compared to previous years (no surprise when most people were working from home!) it increased by 7% in 2021.
At RideOn, our mission is to contribute to that growth both locally and nationally through e-bike hires and sales and through
And to get started, we want to highlight five ways in which cycling to work, on an e-bike can benefit you, not only by saving time or money, but also your physical and mental health.
Our Top Five
1. It’s quicker and more reliable
The actual speed an e-bike can go is obviously slower than a car or bus when you compare direct performance, but when you look at the conditions of an overall journey including traffic jams, starting and stopping to pick up passengers, routes etc. e-bikes are a great alternative!
At a top legal speed of 15.5mph, along with more direct and less congested routes, plus the avoidance of any roadworks and traffic lights, e-bikes are definitely a valid competitor when it comes to an efficient and swift commute to work.
Not only are there the logistical and time-saving advantages, but e-biking has loads of other benefits too, some of which we’ll look at now…
2. It’s a great way to get exercise into your day
Exercising has a positive impact on your mood and whilst many people think that e-biking is cheating since you have the power assistance of electric, that’s just not true. Pedaling is still required and you still have to put the effort in – it just does some of the heavy lifting for you when you need it most, which is a real help for cyclists who aren’t as fit or able to ride a traditional bike. So as far as we’re concerned, E-bikes make cycling accessible to more people. Of course another benefit is
Cycling to and from work is a great way to get the recommended 20 minutes of daily exercise in, killing two birds with one stone! Regular cycling will not only improve your fitness but it can also contribute to weight loss too, helping you trim up if you’re looking to lose a few pounds.
3. A mental health boost
Not only is cycling good for your physical health, but it also has a positive effect on your mental wellbeing too. As you cycle, your heart rate increases which causes more oxygen to go to your brain, releasing your body’s feel-good chemicals – endorphins, serotonin and dopamine! These chemicals have a positive impact on your mood and productivity, so by the time you get to work, you’ll be ready to take on the day!
Cycling also puts you directly in touch with nature which is well-known to have a positive impact on mental health. Being in the elements and slowing down helps to reduce stress, induces calmness and can lead to long-term mental wellbeing benefits. A ride to work allows you to be more observant, see and hear things that you wouldn’t normally notice, appreciate the natural environment, escape from the hustle and bustle of traffic jams and the doom and gloom of the news pumped out on your car stereo!
4. Saves you money
The cost of bikes can range greatly, Especially when you throw e-bikes into the mix as they can go well into the thousands…some costing the same as small second-hand car. But we like to think of it as an investment, rather than a cost. And with the cycle to work scheme available through most bike retailers (including ourselves) and offered by many employers, you’ll be able to save even more money!
Where bikes come into their own though is through the savings they make compared to a car on running costs. According to research undertaken by Rad Power Bikes e-bikes can save over $17000 over the course of four years. Now that’s got to be worth considering, right?
5. Reduces your carbon footprint
t’s no secret that swapping a car for an e-bike has a significant beneficial impact on the environment – but the question is, how much?
Well, according to a new study, riding an e-bike instead of a car in England, can save 24.4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions being released into our environment and this reduction is greatest in rural areas, like here in Cornwall.
Whilst cycling production does have an impact ( check out this report by Trek ), according to an article by Cycling UK the total CO2 emissions per km of riding a bike is about 21g which is over than 10 times less than driving a car.
There are more benefits to cycling to work than we’ve listed, including better social interactions and community engagement with other cyclists and walkers, overall improved air quality, and personal wellbeing (a sense of achievement and enhanced mood).
If high lighting these positive impacts has got you considering swapping your for a bike when it comes to commuting, then have a chat to us about the Cycle to Work System.
We hope to see you on two wheels soon!
Pop into any of our stores, drop us a line on 01736 888777 or email us at [email protected]