People are often put off by cycling because they think it’s a little bit scary. Traffic can look dangerous when you’ve never cycled before, and the groups of people wearing pro-looking jerseys and expensive bikes come across as intimidating.
Yet you should give cycling a proper go. It’s underrated, and it’s not always just about getting from A to B, or for a short-lived fitness drive when you hit that midlife crisis. When you get on that bike for the first time, it’s a potentially life-changing move.
Fitness That Doesn’t Feel Like Punishment
Cycling isn’t like other forms of exercise. It doesn’t feel like punishment, yet you’re pushing your body far harder than you may think:
Heart and Lungs Get Stronger. Cycling is low-impact cardio that’s very gentle on your joints, and you can easily scale difficulty as you progress. It’s one of the best forms of exercise to help prevent a dodgy ticker (and recommended by the NHS).
Leg Strength and Core Stability. When you cycle, you’re working your quads, glutes, and calves. Sometimes it’s barely noticeable, but it builds over time.
Weight, Energy, Sleep. Cycling helps maintain a healthy weight, giving you a boost of energy, and regulating your sleep schedule.
You’ll notice the changes without having to invest in a gym membership or CrossFit. Stairs will feel easier. Carrying your shopping back from Tesco or Lidl will no longer feel like a workout. And you will recover from busy days at work far more quickly, too.
That ‘Just Go’ Feeling
This is the part seasoned cyclists struggle to explain properly. Because it’s a feeling of freedom that’s difficult to replicate with any other type of exercise or activity.
Cycling gives you a unique level of independence. You’re never waiting for a bus or train, you go on your terms. And with a cash journey on the London underground hitting £7, you’ll also save quite a bit of money.
You just grab your bike, and you’re off. The journey starts when you decide it does. And considering traffic and how often UK public transport journeys suffer from delays, you’ll probably get to your destination faster than your mates.
It sounds cheesy or hyperbolic even, but once you properly get into it, your bike will feel like an extension of yourself. It will become your go-to travel method, your first call for exercise, and a great mental health reset tool. It can be enough to calm a noisy brain (even with traffic noise!), and cycling in its own right is great for mental health.
Start Solo, Build a Community
Cycling often starts as a solo activity, an option for the commute, or an inexpensive way to get your heart pumping. But it’s also a doorway into community, something that we often miss out on when scrolling on social media.
There are hundreds of clubs, casual groups, races, and charity rides you can join and become a part of. It’s easy, low-pressure, and it’s something you can do even as a beginner. There’s a pace for everyone, even if you think there’s no one who can be slower than you, there is.
But that’s not what it’s about, anyway. It’s about getting together and building a support network, whether it’s to improve health or just to get much-needed social contact.
The community as a whole is also very supportive. People will swap routes, share tips, and advise on ‘how do I fix this?’ questions, and will often even give kit away for free.
Practical Habit for Real People
When you first start cycling, motivation can come and go, especially when the habit hasn’t been entrenched into your routine. But you can help move things along:
Make it Easy. Keep your bike in a ‘ready’ state. Have your lights and lock where you can easily grab them when you’re rushing in the morning to get to work.
Have the Right Kit. You don’t have to be a pro athlete to wear good-quality kit. Choosing a cycling jersey and padded shorts is all about comfort. Wicking away sweat and providing some much-needed cushioning—making that ride far more enjoyable, especially if you’re just starting.
Start with Short Rides. Don’t be too ambitious, or it can start to feel like an uphill struggle before you’ve even begun. Commit to short rides, 10-20 minutes is all you need to start habit-forming routines.
Build Confidence in Stages. Roads in a major city like London or Birmingham can be intimidating. Instead, go for the quiet paths first. Practice your signalling and looking over your shoulder.
Cycling is for Everyone
Cycling is an exercise, that’s true. But it’s also transport, access to fresh air, and an opportunity to become part of the cycling community – and no, your wardrobe doesn’t instantly become 100% skin-tight Lycra.
Once you start riding, you’ll realise just how rewarding it can be. Even if you just want a basic model to get you to work and a basic bit of exercise every week. You can build progress at your own pace, or none at all. The goal doesn’t always have to be to finish a race or get ultra-fit.
That’s because cycling is for everyone.