Commit to Commute

Get your FREE on-site safety checkup

As part of our commitment to the 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) we’ve been thinking of ways to support people making the brave and noble decision to ditch the car or bus and cycle to work.

We’re setting you the challenge to Commit to the Commute for 1 month! – If you stick it out then we’ll honour your efforts with a FREE on-site safety checkup to help you keep going for another month, and hopefully more! See more info at the end of the article

In case you need a reminder…

You may not be aware that we’re in the midst of a climate catastrophe. There is no two ways about it, we all need to drastically reduce our consumption of fossil fuels right now! One of the biggest single impacts you can make is to reduce or replace your car useage (yes that includes electric cars!)

Bikes are a “no brainer” alternative to cars for short (or even medium) journeys. They’re produced with a relatively low carbon footprint and have very low emissions associated with their running and maintenance..

Focus on the positives!

If you’re used to driving and the obvious comforts associated with it, you may be daunted by the thought of setting out in the cold, wet weather on your bike each morning.  But here are some of the positive things we guarantee you’ll be focusing on by week two at the latest!

• Invisible excercise – if you struggle to find time to excercise, then the daily commute is the perfect solution. Cycling for as little as 15 minutes a day is proven to increase fitness, wellbeing and productivity. Doing this day-in, day-out can be life changing.

• Free up your time – A typical 3-5 mile commute will take you only about 15-25minutes or so (at a leisurely pace) regardless of traffic conditions. You can sometimes spend 2 or 3 times as long in your car, this could be time spent cooking a healthy meal, or hanging out with your family.

• Feel better – After 15-30 minutes of gentle excercise your body releases endorphines. It’s hard to explain how much happier you’ll feel aentering the office after riding your bike. Sitting in a car in traffic is proven to increase anxiety, stress, and depression. Why start your day like this?

• Breath better – is often cleaner outside your car – a 2016 study showed that levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were on average 21% higher inside the vehicle with the windows shut than on the road outside.

• Save money – Even with regular professional servicing and maintenance – (which inevitably carries some cost) – you’ll still save money that would otherwise spent on fuel, repairs, or bus fares. If you ditch your car altogether, you’ll save even more in tax and insurance. Plus it is possible to do more general maintenance tasks on a bicycle yourself, if you wish.

• Know you’re helping – it’s easy to feel helpless in the face of the challenges ahead, but you can feel  proud that you’re  setting an example to others by doing what you can to create a better future.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

We get it, if you’re not an experienced cyclist it may be a daunting prospect getting out on Birmingham’s roads. It’s not only the weather, but the traffic, the lack of showers at work, the hat-hair, storage – the list goes on – but none of these “excuses” are without a solution.

Here are some resources that will help you prepare for the best decision you’ll make this year!

• Check out our Articles page for maintenance tips, servicing advice and more.
• British Cycling has a great video series with practical tips for commuting safely on the road
• Cyclescheme.com has articles on how to weather-proof your commute and Overcoming the barriers to cycling to work
• Google “cycle to work scheme” for info on purchasing a bike for commuting at a reduced rate through your employer
• Speak to your employer and insist that they support you to cycle to work, if they have the resources to help then they need to get on board. If they don’t appreciate the urgency then you may need to remind them!

Claim your free checkup

To claim your free checkup just do the following:

• Follow Bike Man Dan on Facebook or Instagram
• Tag us in your daily #commit2commute selfie every day (or as many as you can!)
• Visit our booking page to arrange your visit – mention in the notes that you’ve commited to the commute!
• This offer only applies to cyclists in Birmingham, Solihull, and areas of North Warwickshire and Worcestershire – please get in touch for more info – you’re welcome to come to our workshop and claim your free checkup no matter where you live!

We’ll check your bike, give advice and do any minor tweaks we can at the same time but to be clear we can’t offer any major repairs or free parts – for best results it’s always best to have your bike serviced regularly.

We’re committed to supporting your choice to cycle to work in any way we can. Call us and we’ll be happy to discuss anything from setting your personal servicing intervals to puncture protection, and weather-proofing your bike!