Why cycling to work is worth it - and my tips on how to make it easier: David Alcock

I had been driving to my previous teaching job, six miles from my old 
house, as a matter of habit: every 
weekday I would jump in the car, drive off and arrive at school. Then I would drive back. 

And then I would often go to the gym, or for a run, or a swim, sometime in the evening. Sure, I had a bike, but I barely used it.

My housemate used to cycle to his workplace and suggested that I try it too.  And one sunny summer's day I did. But what a kerfuffle – I took my work clothes to school the previous day, then I needed to shower, get changed, then start my working day. Then there’s the hassle at the end of the workday too. Was it really all worth it?

But the weird thing is that, in my case at least (I live just over five miles from my place of work), once I put a few simple things in place, cycling to work actually saved me time. Why is that?

Thanks to good old traffic congestion, I take the same time to cycle in as it takes other teachers in my area to drive in (not that I am trying to be smug about it – more of that later...).

I keep suits, shoes, towels and so on at work, and replace them on rotation or when I occasionally get the train in. I shower at school – but I would have showered at home anyway – so that’s time neutral!

Apart from time saving, the benefits are manifold, but bear retelling: your fitness levels get a boost, the air will be fresher (especially if you use an off-road route). Resilience is an over-used phrase but getting through the odd cold or rainy journey certainly builds up your defences for some of life’s minor inconveniences.

You can even get that rare commodity – a feeling of belonging – by swapping pleasantries with cyclists and pedestrians: the daily ‘ey up mate’ from the man on the canal boosts my mood, at least!

It can be money saving: we are now a one-car household, saving money on buying, servicing, taxing, and fuelling a second vehicle. You will also be doing your little bit to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

One of the most important factors for me is that I appreciate being able to eat more and ‘earn’ the odd beer or two. Yes, I might sound smug, but smugness is an occupational hazard of a cycle commuter.

Let’s go back to that small step – the first day I biked to my old school. Things soon got into a routine. I went from biking once a week, to twice, then three times.  I now cycle every day.

I had barriers to overcome – and so will you. These can include living far away from your place of work, dropping off children on the way to and from school/nursery (there are ways to do this!), lacking a bike, worries about safety, concerns about your fitness levels, anxieties about frosty or wet journeys... and more. Why not chat to people who already cycle commute about these barriers and how they can be broken down? 

In terms of safety, none of us are immune to the dangers of cycling, but risks can be minimised by following advice on websites such as British Cycling, and awareness of risk probabilities will help you to put them in perspective. Moreover, I believe that the risks are outweighed by the mental and physical health benefits of cycling.

If you want to join the throngs of cyclists, you might want some practical hints to start you off, so here goes:

Try a weekend recce first: the safest and more pleasant way may not be the shortest. Share your commitment: agree to start your new regime with a friend or colleague.

Use trains to take the strain one-way, or part of the way. Wear the right clothing, keep your eyes peeled, and take a phone with you, seek out insurance and sort out changing at work.

Consider buying an e-bike or using the tax-free cycle-to-work scheme. British Cycling offer more hints online, and another more local resource is West Yorkshire’s very own City Connect website.

My journey started with a small step.  What will nudge you to take yours? Could it be the lighter traffic we are seeing in these times of remote working? Could it be worries about public transport? 

The need to save money and get fit? If you can, why not do a Tebbit and get on your bike?

David Alcock is a geography teacher at Bradford Grammar School. He lives in Guiseley.

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