Why Cycle?

The bicycle is a simple solution to some of the world’s most complicated problems. There is an old proverb that says “may you live in interesting times.” And we believe we do. For the first time in our national history, the average Irish child has a shorter life expectancy than his or her parents. Inactivity and obesity are compromising our health. Global warming is threatening our future. Congestion is eroding our patience and our mobility and the cost of transport has soared beyond the imaginable. These truly are interesting times.

Looking at these pressing issues; global warming, escalating obesity, increasing congestion, rising transport costs - there is one common answer. The bicycle is a cure to much of what ails us. It is an elegant, yet simple solution to many complex problems.

Abandon the car, bus or train and save money. Using a bicycle for your daily commute has got to be the most cost effective way of cutting back on your day-to-day transport costs. Think about it, you don’t need to pay motor tax, NCT or breakdown cover on a bicycle. You do not have to pay for parking in cities and towns, including the newly introduced €200 parking levy that has been imposed on a number of them. If you cycle regularly, you’ll save a fortune so there’ll be plenty more cash to spend on the finer things in life…like you!

Benefits

For your Health

• The average person loses 13 lbs. their first year of commuting by bike.
• Just 3 hours of bicycling per week can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.
• A 140-pound cyclist burns 508 calories while pedaling 14 miles in an hour.
• Cycling raises your metabolic rate as well as toning your thighs, bum and tummy muscles.
• On average, cyclists live two years longer than non-cyclists.
• Cyclists breathe in less pollution from traffic than motorists.

For your Pocket

• Huge savings to be made on Bikes and Accessories
• The average cost of maintaining a car each year is €300 compared to just €75 for a bike.
• Monthly payments with no finance charges
• No more commuting costs. Once you’ve made the initial purchase and kitted yourself out, the cost of running a bike is virtually nil.

For your Environment

• Cycling is the least polluting way of travelling after walking; cyclist’s emissions only bother the person behind!
• 2Kg of carbon are saved for every short journey that is made using a bike instead of a car.
• Ten bikes can be parked in the space of one car.
• Cycling uses 0.03 mega joules of energy per kilometer, 70 times more energy-efficient than an average car.
• More of us doing it every day- going by bike put you at the cutting edge of the cycling revolution!
• Ride your bike, especially for trips under two miles. The emission controls on your car are not operating effectively in the first few minutes thus short trips create more pollution. 24% of all trips are made within a mile of the home, 40% of all trips are made within two miles of the home, and 50% of the working population commutes five miles or less to work.