Why cycle

(From Nottinghamshire County Council published material)

For your health:
• Regular cyclists enjoy a fitness level equal to that of a person 10 years younger (Sharp, National Forum for coronary heart disease prevention)
• Physically active people have half the risk of coronary heart disease and up to a third the risk of a stroke compared to inactive people (Dept of Health, 1996)
• Cycling improves your strength, stamina and aerobic fitness with little risk over over-exertion.  It can also help you shed excess weight by burning body fat.  Twenty minutes cycling burns off roughly 120 calories.

For the Environment:
• Cycling produces virtually no atmospheric or noise pollution.  The effects of car pollution can be eye irritation, headaches, and aggravating breathing related illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis.  Pollution can also damage plants and buildings.  Wider effects of pollution are climate change and the thinning of the ozone layer, making us more vulnerable to the risks of skin cancer and eye cataracts.
• 75% of all journeys are less than 5 miles long and half are less than two miles. With a little practice, most people can comfortably ride these distances.
• Cycling can help to combat traffic congestion and contribute to a more sustainable transport system.  With more people cycling, the local authority will respond by creating and improving cycle paths in the area

For your pocket:
• It's easy to forget how much your car is costing you.  Not only are you paying off the car loan (and its rapid depreciation), there's car tax, insurance, MOT, repairs, petrol and car parking fees.  Even if you keep your car, you'll be saving yourself petrol costs and parking.
• In urban areas cycling can provide a quick and economical form of independent door-to-door transport.  It is much cheaper to cycle than to run a car.  On routes with high congestion, cycling can prove to be quicker than the car, and you can take short cuts.
• Cycling for pleasure is a cheap and enjoyable way to spend your leisure time.