Ride to Work Week 2019 gets underway later this month, aiming to highlight the ‘huge’ benefits of cycling to individuals, workplaces and the wider society.
Ride to Work Week (25-31 March) is the first of four events organised annually by Love to Ride UK – the others being Bike Week (8-16 June), Cycle September and Winter Wheelers.
Love to Ride says riding to work has significant benefits that will make you ‘happier, healthier and wealthier’ – and reduces:
- Illness and sick leave – cycle commuters take half the sick leave of their non-cycling colleagues
- Stress and anxiety – people who ride to work regularly report improved mental health
- The cost of commuting – on average, UK employees spend £146 per month or £135,000 over their working life
- Congestion and pollution, which contributes to 40,000 premature deaths annually in the UK
Love to Ride also cites a recent study by the University of Glasgow, which shows that commuters who cycled were associated with a 41% lower risk of premature death, a 45% lower risk of developing cancer and a 46% lower risk of heart disease.
To incentivise people to take part in Ride to Work Week 2019, which has the theme ‘Go Dutch’, there are a number of prizes to be won – including a Babboe cargo bike and a trip for two to the Netherlands.
To register, visit to Ride to Work 2019 website, which also includes advice and information on riding to work.
Statistics!
These health statistics from the uni are a blunt instrument as they are presumably ‘high level’ ones and so take no account of individuals lifestyle outside of commuting. There is the possibility of an active life beyond participating in cycling.
Pat, Wales
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