Everyone has their own preferred method of commuting into the office - and none of them are perfect.
Driving can be expensive and fraught with congestion. Buses and trains can be riddled with delays. Meanwhile, heading into the office on foot may not be a viable option for everyone.
But what about cycling? If you haven’t considered pedalling into the office before, perhaps now is the time because Cycle to Work Day is about to roll around.
At FigFlex, we’re big advocates of cycling so we’ve pulled together the bare facts in the hope that it’ll send you freewheeling into work very soon...
What is Cycle to Work Day?
It’s the UK’s biggest cycle commuting event of the year. It’s all about encouraging the great British workforce to ditch the car and instead try cycling to their place of work.
When is Cycle to Work Day?
Cycle to Work Day usually occurs early August when it’s reasonable to expect the weather to be at least halfway decent. This year, it’s on Thursday 5th August.
What’s the point of Cycle to Work Day?
There’s more to Cycle to Work than just getting people out of their cars and into some lycra instead. Britain’s roads aren’t getting any less congested with the average UK motorist losing 115 hours and £894 a year to congestion in 2019.
By switching to a cycle commute, it would not only free up road space, but also reduce carbon emissions, save time and money, and boost the mental and physical health of the nation.
What are the benefits of cycling to work?
Time saving: Cycling to work is 50% quicker than driving in rush hour.
Environmental: 133,442 tonnes of CO2 is saved each year by people cycling to work.
Health: Cycling to work for just three days a week burns 1,000 calories. The average person loses 14lbs in their first year of cycling to work.
Financial: The cost of cycling to work for a full year sits at around £396. Meanwhile, taking the bus costs £625 per year, skyrocketing to £3,727 to drive - that’s a hike of more than 800%.
Mental wellbeing: Research has shown that cycling to work reduces stress and anxiety, combats depression, increases self-esteem and even boosts productivity.
All of these figures were sourced from CycleScheme.co.uk & the Office for National Statistics.
Is it safe to cycle to work?
It’s safer than you’d think. Cycling UK believes that the behaviour and attitudes of some road users, the speed and sheer volume of motor traffic, and substandard road layout all conspire to make cycling feel and look more dangerous than it actually is.
And the data suggests that cycling is safer than ever with the number of cyclists seriously injured per billion miles cycled dropping significantly between 2012 and 2019 (from 1,540 to 1,250).
How successful has Cycle to Work Day been in the past?
Figures show that the number of people participating in cycling in England has grown from five million in 2016 to 7.5 million in 2020. How many of those are commuting is unclear but the fact more people are hopping on their bike is a positive sign.
Can I cycle to work at FigFlex?
Absolutely, we love to see our members arrive at FigFlex on two wheels.
Commuters cycling into FigFlex are welcome to use our lockable bike racks and shower facilities to freshen up.
Additionally, every FigFlex location sits within a town or city centre, making them super accessible with plenty of great cafes and eateries nearby to refuel ahead of the ride home.
How can I find out more about Cycle to Work Day?
There’s more detail about how you can get involved at cycletoworkday.org.
Category: Community & Culture