Start cycling this Spring

Cycling is one of the most sustainable methods of travel, but cycling is more than just a mode of transportation; it's a lifestyle that offers numerous benefits for your physical and mental wellbeing.

According to the National Travel Survey, well over half (57.5%) of the trips made per person as a car/van driver were under five miles, a distance many people could cycle instead.

Whether you're looking to improve your fitness, reduce stress, or simply enjoy the outdoors, learning to cycle can be a transformative experience, and with the weather getting warmer it's the perfect time to start.

Here are just some of the benefits of cycling:

• Improves physical fitness: cycling is a low-impact exercise that strengthens your legs and improves cardiovascular health.
• Boosts mental health: regular cycling can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and enhance cognitive function and overall wellbeing.
• Sustainability: cycling is an eco-friendly mode of transport that drastically reduces your carbon footprint compared to driving. According to data gathered in seven European cities, cyclists had 84% lower lifecycle CO2 emissions from all daily travel than non-cyclists.
• Better air quality: by choosing to cycle, you contribute to less pollution and improved air quality, which are aspects that directly impact your health and the environment.
• Cost-effective: cycling is a cost-effective alternative to driving by saving money on fuel and parking.
• Economic impact: cycling contributes significantly to the economy, with benefits including cost savings, increased retail expenditure, and positive effects on tourism and the environment.

Starting out

If you don't own a bike, don't worry! Many cities offer schemes which allow you to rent bikes for short journeys. These schemes are convenient and affordable, making it easy to start cycling without the need to purchase a bike. The most popular schemes are Lime and Beryl which operate in many cities, and the Starling Bank Bikes in Manchester.

Cycling alone can also feel intimidating, so you could reach out to a colleague or friend who cycles and ask if they will join you on a route to familiarise yourself with it without the added pressure of being on your own.

Many local authorities and organisations also offer free cycling and bike maintenance lessons for adults to help you build your confidence. Check your local council website or community centres for available courses, such as these ones in Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

Make your commute more sustainable

Our Cycle to Work scheme allows you to order a new bike, equipment or both up to the value of £2,500.00 from one of 1,250 cycling retailers – including Halfords, tredz.co.uk, and hundreds of independent bike shops.

Your employer pays for the order up front, you agree to hire the bike from Halfords, who are the legal owner of the bike from the start of the hire period. You pay your employer back through your salary to make tax savings of 28% - 47%.

Nigel Calderbank, Key Worker – GC Employment Work and Health Programme in Trafford, recently purchased an electric bike through the scheme. He said:

"Since completing the Cycle to Work scheme recently I have been nothing but overjoyed with my electric bike and have been cycling every day since, even at weekends, it has literally put all the enjoyment back into cycling and made me feel young again. It's helped with my fitness massively and even helped improve my mental health and most of all it’s got me out of the house exploring the local area and having loads of fun to boot. Pretty easy scheme and well worth it in my humble opinion."

Have you started cycling to work? Tell us about your experience communciations@growthco.uk