Active commuting involves walking, cycling or scootering to work or education instead of using a car or other motorised transport.

Choosing active travel can benefit your health and well-being, help reduce traffic and pollution, and support a healthier environment for everyone.

The benefits

  • Improved health and well-being is one of the key benefits of active commuting. By incorporating regular physical activity into everyday journeys, walking and cycling can help reduce stress, improve fitness and support better mental health.
     
    Research suggests that active commuters have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, while also benefiting from increased life expectancy.

  • Improved health can benefit both individuals and employers by reducing sickness absence and easing pressure on health services. Research has found that people who cycle to work tend to take fewer sick days, with the greatest benefits seen among those who cycle more often and over longer distances. Visit the National Library of Medicine website to read about the association between commuter cycling and sickness absence.
      

  • Better air quality, helping people in the community stay healthier.
     

  • Lower carbon emissions, helping to tackle climate change and protect the environment.
      

  • Less traffic congestion, helping those who need to drive or use public transport reach their destination more quickly.
     

  • Lower travel costs, helping people save money during the cost of living crisis.

The Department for Transport's gear change: a bold vision for cycling and walking

Highlights the important role active travel can play in addressing some of society’s biggest challenges, stating that increasing levels of walking and cycling can help improve air quality, tackle climate change, enhance health and well-being, reduce inequalities, and ease traffic congestion.

Recognising these benefits, there has been growing national support for active travel, including the establishment of Active Travel England and the publication of the second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS2), both of which aim to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer, more accessible and a natural choice for everyday journeys.

Thinking about cycling to work? Download the free British Cycling eBook for expert guidance and support

Whether you’re looking for an alternative to public transport, can’t bear going back to bumper-to-bumper traffic or just want to reduce your outgoings, there’s never been a better time to start cycling to work.

British Cycling have created this brand new eBook which provides you with all the tips, advice and encouragement you need for a safe and seamless commute - including what type of bike to buy, how to keep it safe, how to carry your work gear and much more besides.

Visit the British Cycling website to download the cycling to work e-book for advice and tips on cycling to work