Biking to work has numerous benefits for you, your business, your neighborhood and your community. Here are five good reasons to swap the car for the bike during this return-to-work time.
better health
Favoring an active mode of transport like cycling to work helps maintain better physical and mental health, particularly by reducing the risk of disease, promoting weight loss, reducing stress, improving sleep quality, and improving self-esteem. “Using useful travel as an excuse to exercise kills two birds with one stone,” says Marie-Soleil Gagné, Managing Director of Accès Transports Viables.
Pedaling is economical
According to Vélo Québec, swapping the car for the bike would save $6,400 to $9,600 a year. The organization states that if the cost of operating (fuel, maintenance, and repairs) and owning (registration, insurance, depreciation) a car averages $10,000 per year, that number increases to $400 for the Biking and reduced to $3,600 if a combination of active and public transportation is preferred.
Furthermore, “road wear is much more characterized by the ride of a car than by a bike.” Note that in this regard, each car is equivalent to 9,600 bikes,” asserts Vélo Québec. Pedaling would therefore reduce the cost of maintaining the road network.
Efficient means of transport
To cycle 5 km between your home and work takes 25 minutes (or less) in an urban environment. On the other hand, for a distance of between 6 and 12 km, it takes 25 to 50 minutes without resorting to the electric bike, which reduces travel time. Also, by holding onto the handlebars of your bike, you avoid traffic and finding a parking space for your car.
In terms of efficiency, Vélo Québec points out that workers who cycle to work have a 15% lower absenteeism rate than those who do not prefer to actively travel and are 4% to 15% more productive. This is also reflected in the different areas of life.
ecological idea
Pedaling does not produce any pollutant emissions, neither in terms of greenhouse gases nor in terms of pollutants that can pollute the water when they flow, such as: B. brake fluid, transmission, antifreeze, washing ice, etc.
Choosing a bike instead of a car not only reduces your daily carbon footprint but also reduces noise pollution.
More spontaneity
“Cycling increases active mobility on the traffic arteries and is good for business because people shop more spontaneously. “Cyclists can stop where and when they want because the bicycle is easier to park than the car and more efficient, especially when infrastructure is in place and the bike path is safe and separate from cars,” says Ms. Won.
“Velo Economics” data compiled by Vélo Québec also shows that “the creation of a bike lane always has a positive impact for businesses: people who cycle there are more likely to go there, their average shopping basket is larger, and overall revenue eventually increases.”