Bike Week 09: Going by bike saves you two days a year!

UK commuters who choose their bikes over their cars can save up to two days of journey time over a year, a study has found.

The organisers of National Bike Week, which begins tomorrow (June 13), reckon that the 69 per cent of people who travel to work by car spent almost nine days of the year on the road.

This contrasts with cyclists, who only spend seven days a year going to and from their work place. And, with predictions of a hot summer still current, Bike Week organisers hope that many more people will be inspired to get on their bikes this year.

Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England says; “We’re blessed with long summer days in the UK, but we spend too much time travelling to and from work – in fact, we have the longest journeys in Europe. During rush-hour, a bicycle is faster than a car so by getting on our bikes, we could cut our commutes and get the equivalent of an extra two days off a year to spend with family and friends and simply enjoy ourselves in the sun.

“With Bike Week coming up, it’s the ideal time to find out how cycling helps you get more out of life while saving money, getting fit and cutting pollution at the same time.”

National Bike Week 2009 promises to be a major event across the country, with hundreds of events taking place ranging from cycle training, sessions for novices, commuter challenges, group rides and racing events. The whole cycling spectrum of cycling is catered for and to find out more, visit www.bikeweek.org.uk or keep reading road.cc for updates as they happen.