Housing home user guide

Why Cycle ?
Swap your car journeys for bike rides
Many car trips are under 3 miles. That’s bad for your car, bad for the environment,
and leads to unnecessary traffic.
For short trips, cycling is the most obvious alternative to driving: you can go where
you want, when you want, lock up your bike when you get there, and even carry
hefty loads of shopping if you fit panniers to your bike.
Top 10 reasons to cycle
1. It’s easy! Cycling is often the easiest way to get around– you can ride
quickly and directly to the shops, to school or to work, and not have to
worry about parking the car.
2. It’s fun! Cycling is a really enjoyable way to get around and spend your
time, whether you’re riding alone, or with your friends or family. Take a
picnic, go to a lovely country or canalside pub and make a day of it!
3. It’s fast! During the rush hour, cycling can be up to twice as fast as
going by car.
4. It’s free! With a bike there’s no fuel to buy (apart from your own food!),
no road tax or parking fees. Go where you want anytime, and enjoy the
freedom of your city.
5. It’s a great family activity. Sunday afternoons were made for cycling –
get all the bikes out, with stabilisers or trailer bike for learner riders, so
you and the whole family can feel the wind on your faces!
6. It makes you feel younger. Regular cyclists have the improved overall
fitness of someone up to 10 years younger, and can live up to 2 years
longer!
7. It helps you stay trim and healthy. Riding a bike is a great way to
protect yourself against heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and
stress! Twenty minutes of gentle cycling can easily burn 100 calories –
why go to the gym when you can work out in the fresh air?
8. It boosts the brain cells. Cycle to work, school, college or university,
and you’ll arrive feeling refreshed, motivated and ready to concentrate
on the day ahead.
9. There are safe, quiet and exciting places to ride! There is a growing
network of cycle lanes and traffic-free routes for safe and easy rides.
10. You can enjoy the freedom of your area. Best of all, more cycling
gives you a new perspective on your surroundings and helps reduce
traffic and pollution. More riders on the road generally means fewer
accidents.
Walking and cycling around the district is fun and easy, with a large number of
planned routes to help keep you safe, avoid busy roads, and get you to your
destination faster. There's a number of different walking and cycling maps to be
found on the West Berks council website (www.westberks.gov.uk/roads transport