If you’re a cycling enthusiast, then it’s not hard to see the appeal of using your bike to get to and from work each day. In fact, it’ll be easy to see the appeal even if you’re not a cycling enthusiast. A daily commute in a car, which brings with it bumper-to-bumper traffic and plenty of why am I doing this thoughts, can be pretty soul-destroying after a while.
Cycling to work, on the other hand, offers a whole bunch of benefits, including improved mood, better health and fitness, and financial savings.
With that said, cycling to work isn’t without its drawbacks. You’ll be at greater risk of being involved in an accident, and even the fittest of cyclists can arrive at work a lot sweatier than when they set off. In this post, we’re going to outline some of the key downsides to commuting on bike, as well as outlining some handy solutions.
It Can Tough In The Winter Months
It can be a delight to cycle to work during the warm spring and summer months. In winter? Not so much. While you’ll have the option of commuting via other methods during this time of the year, true believers dig deep and ride to work all year round. A good base layer, wind- and waterproof jacket, and cycling gloves will help you to keep the chill at bay. Avoid the temptation to dress too warm — it’s best if you’re a little chilly when you set off, since the act of riding will warm you up.
It Can Be More Dangerous Than Driving
There are long-term health benefits to cycling to work, but it’s also true that commuting on bike increases the risk of being in a serious accident compared with being in the car. It’s estimated that cyclists are twice as likely to be hospitalized due to traffic collisions compared with car drivers, which increases the chance that they’ll need to recover from their injuries, potentially take time off work, and make a bicycle accident claim to get compensation. Taking sufficient precautions, such as sticking to cycle lanes whenever possible and enhancing visibility (including using lights and reflective jackets) is key for optimising safety.
You Can Arrive To Work Dirty
Part of the benefit of cycling to work is that it’s an easy way to ensure that you get your recommended allowance of exercise. But exercise is also hard work that causes you to sweat, and while that can be fine when you’re cycling home, it’s less fine when you’re arriving at work. Having a change of clothes and ideally access to a shower can make all the difference.
It Can Eat Into Your Free Time
Finally, cycling to work can sometimes be a lot more time-consuming than driving if it’s outside urban areas. If you already work long hours, then adding another 30 – 60 minutes in commute time may not be ideal. However, while it takes longer, it’s also a lot more fun, and many workers say that cycling gives them a chance to truly disconnect from their work day.
