5 facts about bike commuting

September 15, 2022

Bike commuting. I'm sure you recognize this word that we often use in our articles or posts. So, let's explore this increasingly popular phenomenon in our cities through 5 surprising facts about bike commuting!

1 – Bike commuting, an old concept

You've spotted these cyclists, with their backpacks, panniers, or saddlebags. Often well-equipped, with helmets, lights, rain gear, and high-visibility vests. They're on your roads mornings and evenings. Often struggling up the hill on your way. Surprisingly, you encounter them every time you go to or come home from work. And yes, I'm talking about bike commuters.

Bike commuting, a term that appeared in the 2000s, is not new, and describes the act of cycling to work. Today, this word is much more than that; it represents a trend or a lifestyle that accompanies these daily cyclists, of whom you are probably one.

2 - More and more bike commuters?

According to a survey conducted by Réseau vélo et territoires on July 6, 2022, the number of cyclists increased by 38% compared to 2019. However, this increase is nuanced compared to 2021, the year of Covid, which saw a 12% increase.

In 2017, there were approximately 500,000 bike commuters in France, according to the Observatoire du Cycle, representing 2% of the active population!

3 - Can companies promote bike commuting?

This is real information, not fake news! Companies can encourage the use of bicycles for commuting by various means:

Company bike Like a company car, your company finances part of the bike, often up to 30%, which ultimately allows you to buy your bike.
Service bike A fleet of bikes is made available by your company for commuting or for work-related travel.
Sustainable mobility package What if your company paid you an allowance for using your bike because you use it to get to work every morning? We assure you this is true thanks to this sustainable mobility package. You can receive up to €700 in tax-exempt and social security contribution-exempt allowances in 2022 and 2023.

4 - Bike commuters think about the planet

Bike commuting means using your bike daily, and this practice has a strong impact on our greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, according to a 2008 study by INSEE, home-to-work-to-home journeys represent 13% of transport-related emissions, which accounts for 4% of our total greenhouse gas emissions in France. Thus, using your bike to get to work helps reduce these emissions responsible for climate change, as this practice emits 0g of CO2e. Why wait to get started?

5 - Bike commuters are happier

Indeed, cycling to work can only bring you benefits, and bike commuters can attest to that. Beyond doing good for the planet, this practice primarily benefits themselves. The activity provided by regular cycling helps to stay in shape, burn calories, feel better, be more relaxed and less stressed: no more traffic jams, and you get to enjoy the fresh air to start and end your day. Moreover, simply exercising provides a sense of well-being due to the production of various hormones.

The concept of bike commuting is not new, yet it has seen a strong increase in recent years. Between ecological awareness and a desire to do good for oneself, more and more of you are taking to your bikes, and why not soon our Neoca helmets, to bike commute safely!