Cycle to save yourself hundreds
Did you know the average cyclist has the fitness levels of someone ten years their junior? So it’s no wonder that Britain now has around 27 million cyclists leaving the car behind and embracing the outdoors. Cycling is not only a way to maintain your fitness levels though. This environmentally-friendly means of transport can also save you thousands in car costs, bus fares, gym memberships and general health benefits. The average family is said to spend annually more than £1,200 on petrol and over £460 on insurance every year. If you drive to work then you can add to this the cost of parking your car once you reach your destination, car tax, servicing and extra costs, such as the congestion charge for all those driving in London. That way you have an average expenditure of £2,200. It’s best not to think about the thousands you will also spend every 4 years on a new car.
Cycling to work
- If you get on your bike, you save thousands. A good commuter bike will only cost £200, while decent second-hand bikes can be bought for under £100, and maintenance costs will only reach a maximum of £75 a year.
- Insurance cover is often already included in your home insurance, although insurance, including both theft and third party cover, will be no more than around £30 a year (see our bicycle insurance comparison site for further details). Altogether this takes the average price of cycling to just over £300, saving you a total of £1,900 a year.
- If the distance from your workplace is too far to cycle the entire way, however, think of a mix--and-match option. Cycling to the train station will save you parking costs, as well as making sure you don’t miss your train as you’re held up in the morning rush hour traffic.
- Folded bicycles can now be taken free of charge on any train network at any time, with some restrictions on non-folded bicycles during peak travel times on London underground services.
- Cycling to work is also a great way to multitask, as you not only get from A to B, but complete a full workout at the same time, saving you a trip to the gym. But the benefits don’t stop there as you save around £1200 a year on gym membership and you enjoy the fresh air and change of scenery that the real thing offers.
- Not only are you saving money on gym membership, but the health benefits of cycling will also save, and make, money for you in the long-term.
Bike Theft
- If you've been filled with enthusiasm by our article and you're going to get cycling straight away, you must be aware of the huge problem with bike theft in the UK, especially in the bigger cities.
- The British Crime Survey reports that 439,000 bicycles were stolen in 2005/06, often in plain view of passers by.
- The only way to ensure someone doesn't walk off with your bike, and all your good intentions, is to get a sturdy bike lock. This website will tell you which locks have been safety certified. Basically they are rated by how long they resisted attack. The minimum resistance you need is one minute and to protect you against those really determined theives, the government recommends a lock that can resist up to five minutes.
- The best locks aren't necessarily the most expensive, but the government reckons that you will need to ditch the cheaper chain locks and go for a hardened-steel D lock to ensure someone else doesn't ride off into the sunset on your bike.
- You can get these sold secure tested bike locks online at halfords or www.cyclexpress.co.uk, or check out your local bike store.
Getting started - So, you want to save £3,400 don’t you? “How can I start?” you ask, quite understandably.
- Well, you need to get a bike first, of course. Bike prices range widely depending on what type of you’re looking for, with the high-tech, miracle bikes costing well into the hundreds and second-hand bikes from car boot sales costing well under £50.
- For commuters, specialists recommend hybrid bikes as they allow for mixed riding in both urban areas and in more rural locations in your leisure time. They will generally cost between £200-£400 when bought new, although if you’re new to cycling we recommend buying a bike second-hand.
- The top 3 places to buy second-hand bikes are:
1. Specialist second-hand bike shops 2. Bike hire shops which are selling off older models (these will have a particularly good service record) 3. In more populated areas, police auctions will offer you the cheapest prices. - While buying your bike, remember to buy safety equipment, such as helmets, lights and reflective gear, as well as your lock. Again, you'll get all this stuff at Halfords, but to avoid the postage, you can actually get most of it on amazon.
- Further steps will include planning your route to work. Try and stick to cycle lanes where possible and remember that the quickest route may not always be the safest. The biggest drawback of cycling has to be the safety aspect – particularly in cities – so get as much information and help with routes as you can when you start.
|
Print this page
