Cycling is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly way to get from A to B. It’s quicker than walking so it’s ideal for covering longer distances.

• More bikes than cars are sold in the UK each year. So let’s get using them!

Five Good Reasons to Cycle More

1. It Keeps You Fit, Healthy & Could Take Years Off You!

• Regular cycling can help to lower stress levels, control weight, reduce the risk of heart disease and improve life expectancy.
• Cycle regularly and your fitness will be equal to that of someone ten years younger!

2. It Could Save You Some Time

• Almost a third of the car journeys we make are less than two miles, that’s equivalent to a 10 minute cycle for someone of average fitness. At busy times of the day, a cyclist could get from one end of town to the other more quickly than if they drove.

3. It’s Good for the Environment

• There are some lovely places to cycle in Somerset where there is no traffic and the air is clean. But even where you do have to share the road with cars, you’ll be exposed to less pollution than those sitting in traffic around you.
• Cycling even occasionally instead of driving means one less car on the road. Less car journeys mean fewer emissions, which benefits you, your family, your community and your environment.

4. It Saves You Money

• Compared to driving, cycling is a much less expensive way of getting around, with no tax, insurance, petrol or parking charges to pay.

5. It’s a Great Way to Relax

• Cycling is an excellent way of spending leisure time. Somerset’s off road network and cycle routes are a great way to discover your local area.
• As a cyclist you set the pace and there’s no getting stuck in stressful traffic jams!
• Cycling is an activity that you can enjoy with family and friends and it’s free.

Coming Soon! New Cycle Route Maps for 20 of Somerset’s Top Towns

How to Build Cycling into Your Routine

• Try using some of the local leisure routes around you, our cycle maps will show you where they are. If you haven’t been on a bike for a while this is a great way to get you back in the saddle and will help build your confidence.
• If you only live a couple of miles from work why not try cycling once or twice a week? It’s a good idea to test your route out first on a day when you’re not working. You will be amazed at how easy it is to find quieter back street routes on both local cycle networks and local streets.
• Think about other short journeys you do regularly by car, could you cycle instead?
  
• Time yourself and watch as your fitness increases and the journey time reduces.
• If it has been a while since you last rode a bike or you are new to cycling the Equipment and Safety pages have some practical advice to keep you safe.

Did You Know?

• On a bicycle you can travel up to 1037 kilometres on the energy equivalent of a single litre of petrol.
• On a bicycle you consume a fiftieth of the oxygen consumed by a motor vehicle, and expel no pollutants.
• Britain has the highest level in Europe of obesity among 10 year olds. The medical profession says that getting children onto bicycles is the best way to combat increasing obesity levels in the young.
• On a bike you can have your cake and eat it. A moderate half-hour each-way commute will burn 8 calories a minute, that’s the equivalent of 11kg (almost two stone) of fat in a year.
• Cycling 4 miles a day (about 20 minutes) reduces the risk of heart disease to half that of someone who takes no exercise.