Guide to cycling to work

Cycling to work is fantastic. It has many benefits for your health, wealth and the environment, but you might need more than just knowing this to help you start if you are nervous about trying it for the first time. But you don't have to be worried – follow this advice, and you'll wonder why you ever had doubts.

Use a cycle route planner

One reservation we've heard many times for cycling to work is: "I would, but I'd have to ride around that roundabout or down that A-road." With some good planning, though, it may be that you can avoid those bits of the route you want to avoid.

While it may mean riding slightly further, it will make your journey more pleasant if you find an alternative route to the direct one. Try the Cycling UK Journey Planner to plot your trip from A to B.

Use an e-cycle

E-cycles are electrically assisted cycles that will give you an extra boost while you are peddling. Most commutes to work are fewer than 10km. Most e-cycles have a range that would easily cover that distance, making those kilometres a cinch. The extra power can also help to tackle any hills as well.

Cycling UK is delivering Making cycling e-asier. Funded by the Department for Transport, the programme aims to support communities across England. The scheme offers free loans for up to one month, alongside skills and confidence sessions to encourage people to consider e-cycles as an active travel option.

Making cycling e-asier is currently available in four regions: Manchester, Sheffield, Leicester, and Luton and Dunstable.

Ask a friend to cycle with you

There may be someone you work with who already cycles in who may be willing to chaperone you on your first week to work to give you confidence. They're likely to know the best local routes, quieter roads or shortcuts and be more than willing to pass on the info. You'll never know unless you ask.

However, it's worth checking their cycling style and if they will support your beginner status before you arrange to ride with them. The last thing you want is to find yourself sprinting to keep up or being taken down roads that a more confident cyclist considers acceptable but of which you are nervous.

For more tips, including places to find local beginner cycling training, follow this link:

https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/guide-cycling-work

(Source: Cycling UK)