Bike Week is an annual opportunity to promote cycling, and show how cycling can easily be part of everyday life by encouraging ‘everyday cycling for everyone’. Demonstrating the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling, the week aims to get people to give cycling a go all over the UK, whether this be for fun, as a means of getting around to work or school, the local shops or just to visit friends.
We love cycling here at goPhysio. It’s great form of exercise, that many people can enjoy. It’s pretty low impact and you can make it as challenging as you like.
A few of our team are keen cyclists, all with different abilities and motivations!
Our Non-Clinical Director, Fiona, tries to cycle to work every day, “I love that fact that for me, cycling to work is quicker than driving! I get a little bit of exercise in at the beginning and end of every day, which is nice when I spend a lot of time at the computer.” As well as cycling during the week, Fiona gets the whole family on their bikes when they get a chance. “It’s such a fantastic way of getting everyone exercising. You can cover a big distance and the kids often don’t realise how much exercise they’re actually doing when they’re distracted on their bikes!”
Paul, our Clinical Director cycles for “My motivation for cycling is mainly CV fitness. You get a sweat on, but it’s not as tiring on your legs as running (or at least you get a rest on downhills to recover!). But, it’s also an adrenaline sport. Speeding at unto 25-30mph on wheels just a few cm’s wide with sometimes dodgy disc breaks, that can take unto 30m to slow down on fast hills, is quite an adrenaline rush!”
Paul also says “It’s quite relaxing and peaceful. I choose to cycle in the countryside at quieter times, early weekend mornings or longer summer evenings. The views can be amazing.”
Encouraging and supporting cycling as an active way of commuting to work, has huge benefits to individuals, communities and the environment.
“Organisations have a huge role to play in decarbonising our economy and ensuring our net zero targets are met. And, while transport remains the largest single source of emissions in the UK, an important part of this comes down to looking at how we get around. Whether its commuting or any other business journey, active travel can make a significant contribution to reducing emissions. But the benefits aren’t just for the environment. We know that cycling improves health and saves money for individuals – and it makes business sense too. Staff who cycle are shown to be happier, more productive, taking a fewer sick days and staying longer in their roles.” (Cycling UK)
Now is the time to encourage colleagues to embrace active travel, and Bike Week is the perfect opportunity!
We are pretty lucky where our clinic is located, in that we have some good access to cycle paths in and around Chandlers Ford. We have provided 4 secure cycle parking locks to the side of the clinic and Eastleigh Borough Council have installed a further 2 right outside the clinic. Many of our visitors make use of these facilities to cycle to and from their appointments.
In fact, we live in a wonderful area for cycling and have access to so many great routes throughout Southampton, Winchester, Romsey and The New Forest! So whether you cycle for leisure, fitness, fun or commuting, cycling really can be for everyone!
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