Listen: the benefits of cycling to work

With the government investing £2 billion into cycling last month it appears that two wheels is the future of the commute. For individuals this will means cheaper travel and better health and for businesses it means increased productivity, whilst for society it means lower congestion and better air quality.

This month the government unveiled the world’s first ‘greenprint’, an action plan designed to decarbonise all modes of domestic transport by 2050 in recognition of the fact that the current transport situation is unsustainable for both the environment and the needs of the population. This has come soon after the government invested £2 billion into cycling in May 2021, announcing huge funding for pop up cycle lanes with protected spaces for cyclists, wider pavements, safer junctions and bus only corridors as part of an emergency active travel fund. These investments present a unique opportunity for commuters to enjoy safer and cheaper travel, as well as improve their health and wellbeing.

Indeed, research at the University of Bristol has shown that employees who exercise during the working day are ‘happy, efficient and calm’. Equally, a study by the British Medical Journal of 250,000 commuters found that those who cycle to work are the healthiest in society and had the lowest chance of developing serious health problems. Exercise in implicit in our physical and mental health and illness as a result of inactivity costs the NHS £1 billion per year, with further indirect costs calculated at £8.2 billion, a figure which threatens to rise after lockdown and the extended period of inactivity for many.

Aston spoke to Aimie Radcliffe from Bike2Work.

Photo by Max Bender on Unsplash