Think again!
Cycling to work is beneficial in many ways. It’s easy to feel nervous and unsure before embarking on a bike ride, but by actually taking action and getting on the bike, you may find that biking is one of the happiest parts of your busy day.
To see how you can benefit from driving to work, let’s take a closer look at what you’ll get:
1. Save time:
You save a lot of time if you live in an urban area and work downtown. On a bike you go through traffic instead of sitting on it bored, stressed and fed up. You can arrive at your desk, or return home earlier than you would by car.
You also save time because you’ve been doing fitness for the day. By driving to work, you have no reason to go home again, so you finish your workout for the day and then can enjoy more family time or relax in the evening.
2. Save money:
Public transport is expensive, stressful, and time consuming. In the UK, most public transport is late in the morning, stuck behind traffic queues, or trains not running on time. Why not take your bike instead and know that you are consistently making good progress on your ride most days of the week. It will save you money doing it, and much less stress.
You can also save money driving to work by not having to fill up frequently. Gasoline/gas prices are on the rise, so why not start thinking about driving to work to get fit and save you money in the long run.
Save money on gym memberships. If you ride your bike to work and up hills often enough, you don’t need to spend more time in the gym. Replace your expensive gym membership with a new bike!
3. Less stress:
As already mentioned, waiting for public transport and sitting in traffic jams every morning and evening is stressful. This is probably one of the most stressful parts of your day feeling pressured to get to your desk on time. If you’re planning on getting up early to avoid the traffic jams, why not just ride a bike? You only rely on you to get to work on time, not traffic.
Driving to and from work is a wonderful way to refresh ourselves to start the day on a positive note, and end the day with enthusiasm. If we’re feeling tired and stressed at the end of the day, cycling home can leave all the stress we worked on by the side of the road.
4. Make you fit:
Driving to work will no doubt keep you in shape. Whichever way you look at it, starting cycling to work can only have positive health benefits. Even a short 15-minute bike ride each way has substantial health benefits associated with it. If you want to do more, choose a longer ride, or enjoy more hills! You can climb yourself into ‘race form’ if you really want – it’s completely up to you!
5. Inspire others:
By seeing you drive to work regularly and seeing you start the day on a positive note, other people will want to join you. Give back by inspiring everyone around you that “you can do it and drive to work too!” This includes your spouse and your children as well. If mom and/or dad ride bicycles, then your kids will someday want to do the same.
6. Save the environment:
Cycling is green! Do your part and contribute to the planet by helping make it greener. All you have to do is ride your bike to work and rarely use the car. Cycling only has a positive impact on the environment, so be proud when you pass by a car on your way to and from work.
7. Connect with others:
Being part of a cycling community will not only help you feel better about yourself, but also promote local community partnerships, which benefit all.
By driving to work, you can connect with like-minded people and make friends. They in turn may introduce you to their cycling buddies and then you have a group of you who can enjoy cycling and sports.
Start a group at work that meets regularly for weekend cycling. By building a community, you can enjoy cycling more, travel the world, and even take part in cycling events. Cycling has become a way of life and you don’t want to live without it for long.
8. Be more productive at work:
At work you will begin to realize that you can work harder for longer. You feel fresher and more positive in the morning, so you start working faster. You are more alert, so you can get your work done and feel ‘on the ball’. You will feel good about yourself after your trip to work and this has a positive effect on your confidence level and self-esteem.
If you’re a boss reading this, realize that cycling to work only has a positive effect on your workforce. Drive more by getting yourself on the bike! Lead by example and the rest will follow! If you want to reduce sick days among employees, think of strategies to make your workforce fitter – think ‘cycle to work’!
Last words
Cycling commuting will not only help you financially, but it will definitely help you physically, mentally and most importantly emotionally. Most cyclists tell me that it is the happiest part of their day – and the part of the day they look forward to the most during a busy work week!
So don’t delay, get a bike and start driving to work – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Rebecca Ramsay is a former professional cyclist and former double champion triathlete with 20 years of athletic experience in endurance sports.
He is also a writer published in a national magazine in the UK, and runs his own online cycling blog.
Now retired and based in Scotland, Rebecca is happy to help you achieve your cycling fitness and training goals.
Alse read Cycling Training – Rhythm Concept