Join us to experience the benefits of cycling on the national Cycle to Work day – 3rd August

The UK’s biggest celebration of cycle commuting is back on Thursday 3rd August 2023 and we’d like to encourage everyone in the Trust to get involved!

Whether you’ve never cycled before, not ridden in a while or perhaps you already cycle every day, Cycle to Work Day is for everyone. It’s a day to get in the saddle and experience the range of health and wellbeing benefits cycling offers.

Riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise as part of your everyday routine. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day whether they do so for transport, recreation, or sport. So why not join them!

Want to start cycling? Here’s a few reasons why today is the day:

1. It’s a low impact activity – causing less strain and injuries than many other forms of exercise.
2. A good muscle workout – cycling uses all the major muscle groups as you pedal.
3. It’s easy – unlike some other sports, cycling does not require high levels of physical skill. Most people know how to ride a bike and, once you learn, you don’t forget! It’s like riding a bike…
4. Cycling is great for strength and promoting stamina.
5. Can be as intense as you want– cycling can be done at very low intensity to begin with but can quickly build up to a more demanding physical workout.
6. A fun way to get fit – the adventure and buzz you get from coasting down hills and being outdoors means you are more likely to continue to cycle regularly, compared to other physical activities that keep you indoors or require special times or places.
7. Time and cost efficient – once you have your bike you always have a mode of transport and it replaces sedentary (sitting) time spent using public transport with healthy exercise.

Health and Wellbeing Benefits:

Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity, which means that your heart, blood vessels and lungs all get a workout. You will breathe deeper, perspire and experience increased body temperature, which will improve your overall fitness level. But the benefits are not limited to physical health, there are also a great many wellbeing benefits which can help improve mood and mental health.

• increased cardiovascular fitness
• increased muscle strength and flexibility
• improved joint mobility
• improved posture and coordination
• strengthened bones
• helps weight management
• prevention or management of disease
• decreased stress levels
• reduced anxiety and depression.

If you want to know more about how to get into cycling, where the best routes are, or maybe join a group then the Trust’s YOURhealth service can support you with it all and any other goals that you might be wanting to achieve both physically and mentally. Contact the team if you would like to discuss Cycle to Work Day or other opportunities to improve your wellbeing and lifestyle here.