Pedal your way around
Chopper, mountain bike, racer or penny-farthing. Whatever wheels you have – get ‘em rolling!
You don’t have to be the next Bradley Wiggins to call yourself a cyclist. Switch a few journeys from petrol to pedal power and get fit while saving money, carbon and time.
Climate Change
Bicycles have zero carbon emissions. Nill, none, nada. In 2014, more than 40% of car journeys were less than two miles long2.
These short car journeys are not very fuel efficient: cars can emit twice as pollution in the first five minutes of running3, and these distances can easily be covered with a bike.
Health
Modern sedentary life makes us ill; cycling is a great antidote. Skipping the car or bus and hopping on a bike lowers stress levels, increases stamina, improves leg strength - in fact, cycling uses every muscle in the body yet is kind on the joints.
Research shows aerobic exercise can reduce levels of bad cholesterol4 and decrease the risk of cancer from between 20 and 80%5. And, look! No expensive gym fees.
Money
Running a car is expensive. Public transport isn’t cheap either. The cycle scheme reckon average savings of £30007 a year if you cycle instead of drive to work (this is a pre-pandemic figure). Hook yourself up with a tax free bike and accessories through the Government’s Cycle to Work Scheme.
£3000
Time
Not only is it immensely satisfying whizzing to the front of a huge queue of traffic, travelling by bike in cities is often quicker. A four mile journey in London, for example, can take half the time.
Congestion
Traffic jams, honking horns, road rage, all those exhaust pipes; grim.
UK combustion engines cause around 13,0008 deaths a year. Cycling emits nothing. Avoid the fumes by cycling through parks and down side streets whilst being part of the solution. Breezy!
Global Goals
In September 2017, an historic agreement was signed by UN member nations agreeing to work towards 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030, otherwise known as the SDGs.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals alike. We can - and must - all play our part.
By making the 'On yer bike' pledge, you are contributing in your own small way to the following SDG targets:
3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Success Stories
2,358
Pledges
in total
110,512kg
CO2
pledged