Will The Nation Get Back on Their Bikes for Cycle to Work Day?
Cycle to Work Day this year is on Thursday 4th August, but will commuters be limbering up and adjusting their saddles? Figures from the annual Sustrans Walking and Cycling Index suggests that although 37% of people cycle - thanks to new habits formed during the pandemic - only 17% cycle at least once a week.
Many still have safety concerns, and women are more concerned about safe cycling in their area than men. While almost 1 in 4 men cycle at least once a week, just over 1 in 10 women do so.
However, a report by Sports Marketing Surveys suggests that we could see a significant rise in the number of cyclists taking the bike to work this year. Despite lingering safety concerns, in July 2021 6.7% of commuters make their journeys on two wheels, compared with only 4.5% in 2020.
And with the cost of fuel rocketing, could Cycle to Work Day 2022 see an even bigger surge in the statistics?
Head of Marketing at bike insurance specialist cycleGuard Alex Bennett said: “The tenth anniversary of Cycle to Work Day this year is a huge milestone. Anything that promotes cycling is well worth getting behind, and with both employers and employees receiving tax benefits from signing up to a cycle to work scheme, there’s never been a better time to get back in the saddle.”
Eliminate fuel costs, save on a new bike and help the environment
The team at cycleGuard have calculated that employees participating in the government-backed cycle to work scheme in partnership with their employers will save about 32% of the cost of a new bike and accessories, while those on higher rates of tax can save as much as 42%.
And figures from the Sustrans Walking and Cycling Index show that across the 18 Index cities, cyclists are helping to mitigate the climate crisis, saving 130,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, while the health benefits are preventing over 4,000 serious long-term health conditions and saving the NHS over £27m in those cities alone.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been out of the saddle for a little while or if you’re a regular cyclist, we can all find a way to enjoy the many benefits that getting out on the bike brings,” adds Bennett.
As one of the UK’s leading bike insurance specialists, cycleGuard have been protecting cyclists up and down the country for over 20 years.
You can read more about Cycle to Work Day here: