Topic 2 – Benefits of cycling

People choose to cycle because it has many benefits.  As well as the many physical health benefits, cycling is also excellent for a person’s mental wellbeing, and can all really elevate a person’s mood and decrease stress levels.  Cycling costs practically nothing once the cycle has been purchased, and running costs are considerably less than for cars. Cycles will continue to be a reliable companion for many miles as long as basic checks are carried out regularly.  Choosing to cycle rather than drive reduces carbon emissions and pollution.

The National Standard for Cars and Light Vans (Cat B) refers to the many choices we have over the modes of transport for our journey. This is something to be aware of an discuss with your driving instructor.  Even though you are learning to drive, it is important that you consider the most appropriate mode of transport for your journey.

Key benefits: 

• Increased cardiovascular fitness
• Increased muscle strength and flexibility
• Improved joint mobility
• Improved mental health
• Improved posture and coordination
• Strengthened bones
• Decreased body fat levels
• Prevention or management of disease
• Less pollution
• Less congestion
• Faster journey times through busy towns and cities
• More cost-effective

In this video, a Bikeability cycle instructor and an Approved Driving Instructor discuss the benefits of cycling.

Takeaways from this video:

• Cycling has many benefits
• Cycling can make short journeys enjoyable, convenient and reliable
• Cycling costs considerably less than driving
• Bikeability cycle training is available, based on the National Standard for Cycle Training

Health benefits

• Cycling to work is linked with a 45% lower risk of developing cancer, and a 46% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), compared to commuting by car or public transport.
• The health benefits of cycling outweigh the injury risks by between 13:1 and 415:1, according to studies. The figure that is most often quoted is 20:1 (life years gained due to the benefits of cycling v the life-years lost through injuries).
• Boys aged 10-16 who cycle regularly to school are 30% more likely to meet recommended fitness levels, while girls who cycle are seven times more likely to do so.

Economic benefits

• If cycle use increases from less than 2% of all journeys (current levels) to 10% by 2025 and 25% by 2050, the cumulative benefits would be worth £248bn between 2015 and 2050 for England – yielding annual benefits in 2050 worth £42bn in today’s money.
• Occasional, regular and frequent cyclists contributed a ‘gross cycling product’ of c£3bn to the British economy in 2010. Around 3.6 million cycles (‘units’) are sold in GB each year.
• The average economic benefit-to-cost ratio of investing in cycling & walking schemes is 13:1.
• Academics who studied the cost benefit analysis used by Copenhagen to decide whether to build new cycling infrastructure, concluded that cars cost society and private individuals six times more than cycling.
• The Cycle to Work Scheme generates at least £72m a year in economic benefits for the UK economy and employers through improved physical fitness and associated health benefits.
• On average, cycle commuting employees take one less sick day p.a. than non-cyclists and save the UK economy almost £83m.
• Although cyclists may spend less than car-borne shoppers per trip, their total expenditure is on average greater because they tend to visit the shops more often.

Environmental benefits

• The Climate Change Act 2008 commits the UK to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 80% in 2050 (based on 1990 levels).
• In 2015, the transport sector emitted 24% of the UK’s GHG emissions, and 29% of its CO2. Road transport (as opposed to air, rail etc.) accounted for 93% of CO2, most of this coming from passenger cars (62%).
• A dramatic, worldwide increase in cycling – from a current c.6% of all urban passenger miles to 11% in 2030 and 14% in 2050 – could cut CO2 emissions from urban passenger transport by about 7% by 2030, and nearly 11% in 2050.
• If people in England became as likely to cycle as people in the Netherlands, there would be around two million fewer car driving commuters. Consequently, English authorities could reduce CO2 outputs by over 1,500 tonnes a year on average.