Choose cycling for your commute to work Cycling brings many fantastic benefits; increase fitness, boost wellbeing, save money on fuel, protect the planet and raise air quality – why not rethink your journey to work.
cyclinguk.org/commuting
cyclinguk.org/commuting
What’s great about cycling to work? Great for your health Great for your stress Great for your wallet
First things first… Switching to a cycle commute is easy to do. With a little planning and preparation, you’ll be able to head out to work at the start of the week and enjoy travelling by bike. By adjusting some aspects of your daily routine – from when you wake up, go to work, to returning back home, you can simply incorporate cycling to work. Read on to see some helpful advice of how to get started.
Many towns and cities are implementing
Great for our air quality
new infrastructure, such as temporary bollards to create new cycle lanes, so it’s worth checking out what’s in your area.
Great for a healthy nation Great for workplaces
If you’re looking to start cycling, Cycling UK’s website has lots of helpful tips and advice.
Choose cycling for your commute to work
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cyclinguk.org/commuting
Planning your journey Checking out cycle routes is the best way to start planning your commute. If you normally drive, travel on busy roads or through congested areas, looking at different options for travelling by bike will enable you to find a perfect route. Many towns and cities are implementing new infrastructure, such as temporary bollards to create new cycle lanes, so it’s worth checking out what’s in your area.
Commuting by bike helps your productivity and businesses that support their staff to cycle have happier, healthier workforces.
Cycling UK has created an interactive map to show what infrastructure local councils are planning or have put in place. Cycling UK’s Journey Planner is great for helping plan a route from A to B. If you will be cycling in traffic, take a look at the website for our helpful tips, and safety advice on road positioning.
Riding a bike helps your mental health, reducing stress levels and improving wellbeing.
Ask a colleague to cycle with you If you know someone at your workplace who already cycles, they may be willing to ride with you as you get started and may also know the best local routes to cycle, with quieter roads or shortcuts.
Before you set off It’s always worth doing a quick check of your bike before making a trip. Performing an ‘M’ check means checking all the key components of your bike, such as: Tyres
Saddle
Pedals
Wheels and spokes
Gears
Brakes
Watch our video guide for help
Choose cycling for your commute to work
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cyclinguk.org/commuting
What you need Bags
Clothing
Depending on what you need to carry, you may find a rucksack, a basket, or bags that attach to your bike, (like panniers that are attached over your back wheel), will be a useful way to carry your belongings. As you get to know how much to carry each day and what’s most comfortable on the bike, you can find what works best for you. Also consider keeping some items at work to save you carrying everything each day.
If your commute is short or a flat, easy ride, you may find a full change of clothes isn’t needed. However, wear something comfortable and appropriate for the weather when you cycle. There will be a bit of trial and error as you get used to your commute, so layers are always good. Check out the website for tips on what to wear when it’s sunny or cold!
If you don’t have a bike
If you have a bike Great news! If it’s not seen the light of day for a while, you may want to get it checked out and spruced up so it’s ready to ride. Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival programme offers free bike maintenance and repairs, find out what’s available near you. Your local bike repair shop will be able to help, or do you have a friendly neighbour or colleague who cycles regularly who can give it the once over?
Choose cycling for your commute to work
No problem! There are various options available for getting a bike:
Checklist Helmet, if you wish to wear one Rucksack with change of clothes Comfortable clothes for cycling Lights, if travelling in dim daylight or at night
A recycled bike at low cost Brand new from a shop Hiring a bike Purchasing one via the salary sacrifice, Cycle to Work scheme – where you can purchase a bike and spread the cost – see our website for help and advice
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cyclinguk.org/commuting
More help and advice Don’t forget, staying fuelled and having a good breakfast before you set off or once you arrive at work is also important for making the best of cycling. Read some food fuel tips for cycling. If you are dropping off the kids to school on the way to work it is still possible to do by bike. Cycling UK have an excellent guide on how to transport children by bike, from pregnancy to school age children. If your skills could do with refreshing, check out Cycling UKs ‘Start Cycling’ webpages. We’ve excellent guides and programmes to help you boost your cycling and maintenance knowledge.
Further reading There is a host of further information on our website to help you get back to work, by bike. • Depending where you can store your bike on arrival, you may need to look at security and locks. Here is our comprehensive guide to keeping your bike safe • Cycling UK offers excellent insurance, incentives and benefits for all types of cycling. Find out more on our website about becoming a member • Check out a range of training guides on our YouTube channel • There are more great tips in our article ‘cycling to work for beginners’
Cycling UK, the UK’s cycling charity, can show you how. Visit the website at cyclinguk.org/commuting Choose cycling for your commute to work
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