Fitness levels of regular cyclists are equal to those of people 10 years younger and cycling 20 miles a week reduces the risk of heart disease to less than half that of a non-cyclist who takes no regular exercise.
Cycling is also 70 times more energy efficient than the average car and substantially cheaper to buy and maintain! 2 kilograms of carbon are saved for every short journey made by bike rather than car.
Also, cycling can quite often be quicker than public transport or even a car. In an increasing number of towns and cities across the country, the needs of cyclists are now better catered for with off-road routes and cycle lanes etc. As a result, cycling to work has increased significantly in some places. 10 years ago only about 1% of the working population regularly cycled, nowadays, the figure is approximately 3% and in some places is considerably higher.
The Scottish Government recently published its Cycling Action Plan which sets out a vision of 10% of everyday journeys to be made by bicycle by 2020.
Cycling Scotland has played a key role in developing and progressing the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) and offers more details about CAPS on its website, www.cyclingscotland.org
2. Cycling: Getting Support from Within Your Organisation
6. Pool Bikes
7. Getting External Support for Cycling
8. Cycle Friendly Employer Awards
9. Cycle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
11. Scottish Government Cycling Related Initiatives