Cycling is becoming an increasingly popular choice for town and city centre travel, as it offers several advantages over travelling by car or even using public transport. Bikes are cheaper to buy and maintain, they’re more environmentally friendly and let’s face it who doesn’t want to reduce their environmental footprint these days, also bikes are a great way to help improve your fitness levels.
When you add this to the increased cost of fuel, congestion charges and the cost and serious lack of suitable parking spaces it seems to be a no-brainer. So if you’re looking for an affordable, eco-friendly way to get around town, why not choose a bike?
There are several very compelling reasons why bikes are becoming more popular than cars for city centre travel, some of which we mentioned in the intro paragraph above. So for this article, we would have a look at them in more depth.
Bikes Are Cheaper to Buy and Maintain Than Cars
One of the main reasons why bikes are becoming more popular than cars for city centre travel is that they are cheaper to maintain. A good quality bike will only set you back a few hundred pounds, whereas a car can cost thousands of pounds to buy and hundreds more to maintain each year.
There are many reasons for this, including the fact that cars require regular servicing and MOTs, while bikes usually only need a basic service every few months. Cars also need to be regularly washed and polished, whereas bikes can be simply wiped down with a damp cloth. So if you’re looking for an affordable, eco-friendly way to get around town, why not choose a bike?
Finding Somewhere to Park Is Much Easier and Cheaper When You’re Riding a Bike
One of the main benefits of cycling is that bikes are much easier to park than cars in busy towns and city centres. Cars can take up a lot of space on the street, which can be difficult to find in a packed city centre. Also, the cost of car parking if you can find it is often extremely prohibitive and could cost up to £20 per day. Most towns and city centres keep parking prices high to deter motorists. Bikes, on the other hand, can be easily parked on bike racks, bike shelters or against walls.
This means that cyclists don’t have to worry about finding a space to park their car, which can be a huge bonus in busy cities. Cyclists can simply lock their bikes up and go about their day.
Firstly, bikes produce zero emissions, whereas cars produce harmful pollutants that can damage the environment. Secondly, bikes take up far less space on the road than cars, meaning that there is less congestion and less need for expensive road upgrades. Finally, bikes can be used for short trips, which means that fewer vehicles are needed overall, and this reduces the amount of energy that is consumed. So if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly way to get around town, choose a bike!
Cycling Will Help Improve Fitness Levels
Cycling is a great way to improve your fitness levels, as it is a cardiovascular exercise that gets your heart rate up. Cycling also strengthens your muscles and bones and can help to reduce your risk of obesity and heart disease. So if you’re looking for a way to get fit without joining the gym or taking up running, cycling is a great option! When you cycle to work you can save money and keep fit at the same time.
Cycling Will Save You Money
There is no doubt that when you cycle to work you will save money. For a start fuel costs are non-existent, you won’t be paying for parking, and in some cities, you will be avoiding the dreaded congestion charge.
So, why not make a new start and join the thousands of people who are already taking advantage of the many benefits offered by cycling to work?