Cycle To Work Scheme: Saving Both Money and The Planet
We frequently underestimate how much we spend on transportation, especially for shorter trips. But, as we slowly get to the end of the month, it starts to click, and we begin to realise where this large chunk of our money is actually going. For those living in the bigger cities, to those in the small villages, transportation costs all over the UK have significantly risen from the previous years, whether that be petrol prices or even train tickets. Even for those who may be eligible for discounted travel, the overall cost is frequently much higher than we anticipate. But, what other options do we actually have? An option that is often ruled out due to weather conditions or perhaps lateness is cycling, an effective and simple way to get from A to B whilst saving the planet.
The “cycle to work” scheme was officially introduced in the UK in 1999 by Gary Cooper and Richard Grigsby. The two successful bike shop owners believed that the idea of cycling to work would accomplish three main objectives. These included “CO2 emission reduction, congestion reduction, and improved public health and wellbeing.” However, despite these, the cycle-to-work scheme also impacts an individual’s budget. According to TotalJobs, the average UK employee spends £146 a month commuting to and from work on a daily basis. If you spent this amount each month, you would be spending around £135,871 over your lifetime.
Saving Money
With the increased costs of petrol and diesel, commuting to work is now more expensive than ever before. Similarly, for those who did not drive to work and instead relied on public transportation, you will have noticed an increase in price in specific cities. Thankfully, the government has increased price caps on certain bus routes to help lower the overall cost of public transportation. However, for many individuals not on these routes, this isn’t very helpful. Saving money almost comes naturally when you eliminate all of the small, expensive journeys from your budget and swap them for a lower cost cycling journey. So, why don’t you try saving your pocket whilst doing your bit to save the world?
Don’t Have A Bike?
No bike, no problem! Purchasing a brand-new bike from a professional shop can be expensive and potentially even land you in debt, maybe even to the point where you don’t think it’s worth it. However, with the “cycle to work” scheme, they offer a new way you can borrow a bike. The website allows you to choose and hire a bike for an agreed-upon period of time, meaning it is completely up to you.
Other Benefits
For many people, their jobs are extremely stressful. Unfortunately, it is common for adults to bring extra, unnecessary stress from the workplace into their moments of relaxation. Financial stress is one of the biggest problems faced by numerous households in the UK. From your immediate family to your favourite neighbour down the street, most people will experience some sort of financial stress throughout their lives.
One aspect that is heavily linked to exercise and cycling is the ability it has to suppress stress and boost endorphins, therefore enabling individuals to have an overall happier and healthier mindset, resulting in better performances in the workplace. These elements all have knock-on effects on one another. For example, with one thing leading to another, increased performance could result in getting a raise. As a result, it aids in the repayment of any debts incurred as a result of overspending on unnecessary payments such as transportation.