Cycle To Work Day 2020

August 6th is National Cycle To Work Day, and as the AGS Recruitment office is based in central London, our team are well placed to join the challenge!

We know that throwing out your usual morning routine can have its own set of challenges, so we wanted to put forward a few great reasons to consider cycling to work, even if for only one day (at first).

Why Cycle To Work?

Let’s be honest, for most of us, adding some early morning exercise into the day isn’t high on the agenda.

But hear us out… our team here aren’t avid gym-bunnies, nor are we the type to do regular marathons.

But we do know that small changes can make a big difference to our health.

Just 30 minutes of cycling can burn between 210 and 733 calories, depending on the speed and intensity – that’s a glazed doughnut, all the way up to a Big Mac with a small side of fries.

Now, we’re not suggesting you follow your morning cycle with junk food, but it does put it in perspective.

Boris Says “Get On Your Bike”

Ok, those might not be his exact words, but the government has recently announced it’s newest scheme to tackle the obesity epidemic, and cycling takes centre stage.

An expected 50,000 vouchers up to a value of £50 are to be issued within the UK, to encourage people to dig their bikes out of storage and get them repaired.

Not only that, but the NHS will soon be encouraged to prescribe cycling for those battling weight-related issues.

Patients will be able to access surgery-owned cycles using their prescription, giving them the tools to begin improving their physical and mental health.

Public Transport Issues, Solved

Last but certainly not least of our reasons to consider cycling to work is the ease of social distancing.

With the virus still circulating our cities, social distancing is as important as ever, but this is easier said than done when you rely on public transport to get to work. 

By cycling, you’ll not only remove the risk of someone infectious sharing your ride to work, but you’ll also be out in the open air, further minimising your risks of contraction.

Even if you’re using one of the many publicly available rent-a-bikes, a quick clean of the handles with a sanitising wipe is all you need to be safely on your way.

Let’s face it, unless you live a significant distance from your place of work, the time it takes to cycle is probably comparable to your daily commute.

Add into the equation that it’s lower-risk than public transport and has greater health benefits, and the real question isn’t why you should bike to work, but why you aren’t already.