The benefits of cycling to work

7 August 2025 marks this year’s Cycle to Work Day, a national celebration of commuting by cycle! However, recent data shows that just 5% of UK commuters travel to work by cycle, with only 1% cycling to work daily. Here at Bikeability, we think it’s time to change that. There are so many great reasons to cycle to work, from saving money to helping to protect the environment, so read on to find out more.

It’s good for your health

Cycling is great exercise and travelling to work by cycle is an easy, convenient way to stay active. It’s likely that your fitness will improve with relatively little effort thanks to the low-impact, low-intensity of cycling. Cycling can also lower blood pressure, improve resting heart rate and lower the risk of heart attack.

It’s not just your physical health either, cycling also has a positive impact on your mood. Cycling releases endorphins and other mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin, providing valuable mental health benefits.

It’s cheaper

UK workers spend an average of £55.95 a week commuting to work – that adds up to over £2,500 a year! While maintaining a cycle isn’t free, it’s much cheaper compared to the cost of running a car. Switch to cycling and you’ll save money every time you head to work.

It’s quicker

Data from the Department of Transport found that it took on average 26 minutes to commute to work by car in Great Britain in 2023. This is likely to be even higher for those who live in a city or travel in heavily congested areas. Cycling to work is a great way to speed things up and beat the traffic jams – being stuck in a car on the way to work isn’t the best way to start the day!

No more circling the block looking for a parking space either, you can fit roughly 10 bikes into one car parking space. This will shave further valuable minutes off your commute, especially if your workplace has secure cycle parking.

It’s better for the environment

Cycling is a low-emission transport, which means it emits fewer gases that contribute to global warming. Swapping a car for a cycle helps contribute to cleaner, healthier air, particularly in busy urban environments. A study by the European Cyclists’ Federation found that a daily cycle commuter can reduce their carbon footprint by over 1,000kg of CO2 per year!

The production and maintenance of cycles also has a lower environmental impact compared to vehicles, and they use less resources.

It’s more fun!

Cancelled trains, traffic jams or standing room only buses aren’t the most relaxing way to start the day. By contrast, cycling is simply a lot more fun! It’s a great way to explore your local area, especially if you switch things up with different routes. You might some hidden gems or shortcuts and it’s a great way to soak up more of your surroundings.

We’ve showcased just a handful of strong reasons to choose cycling as the transport for your commute. But, what if I’m not feeling confident about my cycling skills we hear you ask! Not to worry, Bikeability isn’t just for primary school children, we offer lessons for adults and teenagers too. Find out more here and transform your morning commute into something more fun!