Get to work the fun way
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Life’s better by bike. I have a sticker with those words on the frame of one of my bikes that I use to commute through the winter. It’s a reminder that no matter how wet and windy it might get, it’s still a great way to get about.
I arrive at the office having had a blast of fresh air and 25 minutes’ exercise, enough to wake me up without tiring me out completely.
When the weather’s good, it’s a real joy and the only downside is that I have to actually stop at the office rather than keep cycling!
Riding to work is a great way to build exercise into your life and, while for some it might not always be feasible, there’s no harm in giving it a go.
This coming Thursday – September 4th – is Cycle to Work Day, a UK-wide event to encourage people of all abilities to get on their bikes for just one day and ride to work. People are asked to pledge their mileage at www.cycletoworkday.org and then get on their bikes.
In the Highlands and Moray a number of businesses are getting behind the venture, and I spoke to some to find out why they are encouraging people to take part.
Melanie Newbould, of Bike Revolution in Moray – a social enterprise set up to get more people out on their bikes, said: “Cycling to work is a fantastic way to wake up for the day ahead and leave all your troubles behind at the end of the day. Cycling is a fantastic way to burn calories and lose weight, and has been proven to improve mental health and lengthen life expectancy.
“By cycling to work, you can cut car journeys, reduce CO2 emissions and save yourself money.”
Penny Phillips, Go ByCycle manager at Velocity Café and Bicycle Workshop in Inverness, agrees. “There are so many reasons to cycle to work,” she says.
“It’s cheaper – with current fuel prices, taking the bike even a couple of days a week will reduce fuel costs.
“Why sit in traffic when you can dodge all of this and get from home to work without the time and growing anxiety of sitting in your car?
“It’s relaxing and clears you head ready for the day ahead... and then clears your head for your evening, without carrying the stresses of work with you!
“And you’ll stay fitter, healthier and happier as a result.”
It’s a message I’m trying to spread around my own office, and our bike racks have been pretty full all summer. But the Cycle to Work Day is also about convincing people who are less confident about cycling that they can do it too.
You can get advice on the best local routes from your local bike shop, while Bike Revolution and Velocity will help with route advice to get you to work on roads or paths that you are comfortable on.
Bike Revolution is also supporting Cycle to Work Day by offering free bike health checks up until September 4th for those planning to take part. They do, however, ask that people wishing to take advantage of this offer call 01343 549571 to check availability before presenting their bike at the workshop in Lossiemouth.
At Velocity, staff have been working with local businesses to do bike checks and maintenance classes, and they are now accredited to take employers through the Cycle Friendly Employers (CFE) award run by Cycling Scotland.
Penny (pictured) explains: “The Cycle Friendly Employers award is a great badge of honour for workplaces that support their staff and workplace cycling, and in turn reduces their company’s carbon footprint. An initial consultation and audit assesses how well the employer currently meets the award standards, then support and advice is provided by the CFE auditor and Cycling Scotland to ensure they have what they need in place to attain the award.”
Employers can also pledge to support Cycle to Work Day and encourage their staff to take part.
Bike Revolution is also encouraging locals in Moray with a competition looking for the commuter riding the furthest on Cycle to Work Day, with a prize of a Bike Revolution branded cycling jersey and two tickets to the local cinema, Moray Playhouse in Elgin, up for grabs. See the panel for details of how to enter.
Whatever it takes, the more people we get cycling to school and work, the better our towns and cities will be. More bikes means fewer cars and less congestion, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of so many people. Saving money is an added advantage too.
One of my colleagues has already been inspired by the message even before the day arrives. Paul Chalk (left) is certainly not your everyday cyclist but he’s already given cycling to work another go since we started to promote the event around the office. He told me: “Cycle to Work Day has already renewed my thirst for cycling and I now hope this becomes a habit not just for me but for many who opt to get back on their bikes.”
My own hope is that on September 4th – and thereafter – we’ll need a bigger bike shed at the office! The boss can expect an email...
