Why commuting by bike is good for your health and good for your wallet

Keep my body strong and save money? Yes, please. Did you know Edenred can help you access bikeshare programs, or even take your own bike to work?

But first, we’ll tell you about all the reasons biking to work in one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

Why should you bike to work?

Physical activity of any kind will help you maintain your desired weight. So, instead of calorie-talk let’s investigate why moving your body is great for your health.

• It’s great for your heart, lungs, and circulation – Which means that biking to work could reduce your overall risk for cardiovascular disease.
• It helps improve your balance – While you ride, you’re strengthening your core muscles. Keeping your core strong will help you as you grow older as it reduces your risk of falling.
• It improves your mood, brain function, memory, and promotes calm – Being in a good mood helps strengthen your immune system, helps you sleep, and helps you fight off illness.

Physical movement also helps your brain work better. Ever taken a walk to clear your head and came back with a great idea? Well, it’s because you were moving your body.

How much money will you save?

First off, if you drive, you’re spending around $200 a month on gas. If you add fuel, insurance, car payments, and maintenance together, the average cost of owning and using your vehicle is around $10,728 a year.

The cost of commuting on your bike you own? After your initial purchase, commuting on that bike will cost you about $350 a year.

If you plan to use bikeshare, the prices vary. Those prices should be comparable to bikeshare programs in your city.

On top of being better for your physical and mental health, riding your bike to work is riotously cheaper on all fronts.

Won’t I get sweaty?

Not if you don’t treat biking to work like the Indy 500. Take your time, leave early enough, and make a leisurely pace is the goal.

You could also consider using an e-bike. If you are getting comfortable with moving your body again, are pregnant, or simply want a more chill commute, there’s no shame in the motor-assisted game.

A lot of folks keep work-appropriate shoes and suit jackets at their office. You don’t have to commute in your business clothes if you don’t want to.

How to bike to work safely

• If there’s a bike lane, take it! – You’re safest in a lane, or on the side of the road. Avoid sidewalks, not only because it’s illegal in some states, but simply because people aren’t looking for you to be there. And seeing as how most people are plugged into their headphones these days, they won’t hear you, let alone see you, until it’s too late.

Though cycling laws vary by state (you can check your state’s laws here), most allow you to ride in a car lane if your biking lane is uneven, or riddled with potholes.

• Learn biking hand signals – Even if you install some handy-dandy blinkers on your bike, there’s no guarantee drivers will see them. Be sure to learn hand signals for turning left and right, changing lanes, and slowing down.

• Use the Right Equipment. – Installing a basket on your bike to hold your work materials and a bike tool repair kit may be less stressful than wearing a full backpack.

You’ll also want to look into a helmet. Sure, it feels great to have the wind in your hair, but we only have one skull – just keep that in mind.

• Look for parked cars & ditch your headphones – If you’re riding your bike near parked cars, keep a lookout. The last thing you want to experience is someone body checking you with their car door. And this may hurt the music lovers amongst you, but you’re safer when you can hear what’s going on around you. Stay unplugged.

How Edenred can lower the cost of biking to work even further

When you partner with Edenred, we can help your company add biking as a commuting option for your employees. Schedule a meeting with us today to learn more.