National Cycle to Work day

To recognise National Cycle to work day, we explore how cycling can offer so much more for students. From providing both physical and emotional well-being, to how it can fit into the structure of your daily routine, and how it can benefit the environment. Cycling may be an affordable mode of transport that can get you from A to B, but can also be a social activity where you can build relationships whilst appreciating the beautiful surroundings that you might not see if you use other forms of transport.

Improving your long-term health

If you are new to exercise, cycling is a great low impact activity that is soft on your joints but allows you to increase the intensity of the exercise as you wish. It’s a wonderful way of toning up and losing weight, which can burn calories at a rate of 400 – 750 calories per hour. And with as little as 20 miles a week on a bike you can cut your risk of coronary disease by half. As well as increasing your fitness, cycling outdoors can help to boost your immune system resulting in fewer lost study days, due to the increased levels of vitamin D.

Boosting your mental health

A short cycle ride is a fantastic way to destress and unwind. The different sights and sounds you will encounter on a cycle ride will you help you relax, unwind, and clear your mind of the daily stresses and strains and will leave you mentally relaxed allowing you to focus on your studies. Cycling can also help you become smarter! Research has demonstrated that a short burst of moderate intensity aerobic exercise can improve certain elements of your cognitive ability including your memory, reasoning, and ability to plan – who doesn’t want increased brain power during exam season!? 

Fitting cycling into your daily routine

All the Unilife residences in Southampton, Winchester and Guildford have their own highly equipped on-site gym facilities, which are exclusively for residents and offers stationary exercise bicycles. This makes it easier for you to juggle studying, a part time job, and involvement in other clubs with exercising. Now you have no excuse to skip your cycling session on a rainy day (which we know can happen a lot here in the UK!). Cycling also allows you complement your gym workouts by fitting into your daily schedule, whether you are meeting friends or simply going to the shops.

Benefitting the Environment

Although other forms of transport will be necessary from time to time, increasing your use of bikes will reduce the amount of CO2 produced from your journey and will lower your carbon footprint. With increasing numbers of serious health conditions caused by air pollution, cycling will make a significant contribution to reducing it, so choosing to cycle does not only benefit you, it will benefit the wider community. We’re sure that your actions directly benefiting the environment and the wider community, will make you feel good too, resulting in a positive mindset! 

Meeting friends and exploring new places

Cycling can be a very social activity and is a good way of meeting new people or spending some quality time with your existing friends. In most cases, your University will run clubs where you are able to meet other likeminded cycling enthusiasts. As the Unilife residences are located within the city centres of Southampton, Winchester and Guildford, cycling will provide you with an opportunity to explore wonderful parts of these cities. Alternatively, you can take the cycle ways out of the city and enjoy a trip to the beautiful British countryside taking the time to appreciate your surroundings.

Ultimately, the Unilife team is there to help you get the best experience from your university year(s) by supporting you to Relax Study Enjoy, and help you in any way we can. So let us know if you need any support storing your bike, need any ideas on where to go, or need help for the best place to hire or purchase a bike if you don’t own one. 

Experience the Ultimate Student Living and Happy National Cycle to Work Day!