That’s what we’re into: Six good reasons to use the bike

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Six good reasons to use the bike even in autumn and winter

That's what we're into: Six good reasons to use the bike-good

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  • Site online editor Julia Kerner

In big cities, the advantages of cycling are obvious. Nevertheless, we find it difficult to do without the car. At the latest when it gets colder and it rains, we pull out the car keys instead of putting on rain gear. Six reasons that speak for the bicycle.

1. Cycling protects health

It can be chilly outside, especially in the early hours of the morning. The idea of getting on a bike causes discomfort. But: How good is the feeling when you really get on the bike and pedal? The day couldn’t start any better.

When others put off their workout until the evening, you’ve already done it. According to the World Health Organization WHO, 30 minutes of moderate physical activities are sufficient daily to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes. Walking or cycling not only bring an enormous personal gain in fitness and well-being, but can also be easily integrated into everyday life.

Disadvantages that speak against cycling, such as the higher risk of accidents or exposure to fine dust and pollutants in the air, are far outweighed by the health benefits of the additional exercise. This is shown by the results of a study by the research institute IRAS at the University of Utrecht.

2. Cycling protects the environment

Road traffic accounted for 17.4 percent of nationwide CO2 emissions in 2010. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it makes sense to shift journeys from car traffic to the eco-mobility. A comparison of modes of transport shows that cycling and walking can save 138 g of CO2 per passenger kilometer.

Cycling is mobility without harmful greenhouse gases. Germany has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. In perspective, the emissions of the industrialized countries must even drop by 80 to 95 percent by 2050 in order to limit global warming to less than two degrees.

In practice, this means, for example, that a commuter who cycles five kilometers to and from work every weekday instead of using the car can save around 350 kilograms of CO2 emissions per year. Along with pedestrians, cycling is the most climate-friendly form of transport.

3. Cycling saves space

Our floors lose their natural function through increasing sealing. This sealing is the result of a growing proportion of traffic areas. Most of these traffic areas are used by motorized road traffic – on average ten times what other modes of transport, including bicycles, require.

Important area that could be used differently in big cities. Bicycles take up much less space, which helps to protect the environment and thus improve people’s quality of life. You can park at least eight bicycles in each car park.

4. Cycling saves money

The purchase and maintenance of a means of transport causes costs for the individual and the general public. So if you travel by bike, you can save. The cost of using a bicycle is around 10 cents per kilometer travelled. This includes purchase, repairs and a surcharge for bike-specific equipment such as a bike lock, rain pants and rainproof bag. This is shown by the study "Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluation of the Efficiency of Cycling Measures" commissioned by the Ministry of Transport.

5. Cycling saves time

If you compare the travel time of car and bicycle over a distance of three kilometers in the city, there is a time advantage of 22 percent. It’s the search for a parkatz and the footpath to the destination included. With the bike you are exactly three minutes and 15 seconds faster.

Even in winter and in the dark season, they are traveling with the bike faster than by car. In winter, for car drivers, extra time for the relaying of car windows is weighted. The gasoline consumption also increases as the heater has to be switched on. Otherwise, the discs of the car shed within a few seconds.

6. Cycling saves resources

The production of a car requires from raw material production to final assembly CA. 400.000 liters of water. These are over 2.666 bathtubs. With a bike it is only 5.000 liters. In addition, car traffic eats extra resources.

If one would convert the Autobesitz in Germany to the populous countries of China, India and Indonesia, there would have to give 1.25 billion cars there for calculations of the International Energy Agency. That would overwhelm the world’s resources: there would be neither enough oil nor enough raw materials for the batteries of electric cars.

Our tip for autumn and winter: Wind-resistant clothing helps against wet and cold weather in autumn and winter. Thick gloves, a scarf and a hat provide protection in winter. But you don’t need professional equipment to get through the winter by bike. However, it makes sense to switch to off-road bikes and wear a helmet in winter. Look for slightly thicker tires and knobbed profiles. This supports safety on slippery surfaces.

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If you are traveling by bike, it should of course also be roadworthy. We will show you what the StVO requires of your bike.

Brand or no-name model: How much money do you have to spend on a good bike?

Brand or no-name model: How much money do you have to spend on a good bike?

That's what we're into: Six good reasons to use the bike-reasons

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5 thoughts on “That’s what we’re into: Six good reasons to use the bike”

  1. 40% of all trips shorter than 5 km
    40% of all journeys made by car in Germany are shorter than 5 km, 75% of the journeys … are less than 10 km. If only half of these short journeys under 5km were cycled, there would also be more space for those who actually depend on the car because their journeys are actually too far or because they really can’t cycle for health reasons. Even 10 km are no problem with an e-bike. But those who drive even the shortest distances by car are probably all transporting a crate of mineral water right now 🙂 Whether I arrive at the office sweaty by bike depends on how fast I drive. I have the opportunity to shower and store fresh t-shirts at work.

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  2. Commentary misses reality
    1.Most commuters do not drive 5km but 30-60km each way. 2.Even if it’s only 10 km – who can show up in the office after 10 km of exertion without smelling sweat? So shower and change. Who wants that and who can do that? 3.The weather in autumn, winter and spring is often very changeable and often unpredictable. In the morning you drive off in the sunshine and in the evening you go home in the pouring rain. The cold afterwards is certainly not conducive. 4. Safety in winter with snow and ice is undisputedly lower on 2 wheels than on 4 wheels. So the whole thing is a cobbled together fair-weather policy.

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  3. You’ve obviously never tried it
    1. In our company, 50% of the employees are less than 10 km away from the workplace. 2. 10km is not exhausting, I’ve been able to do it on the flat for a number of years, even now that I’m 60+. Pedal support is available for hilly and longer distances. 3. It’s always the others who catch a cold here, the way across the yard, the 20m between a well-heated car and the company entrance is certainly more dangerous for a cold. 4. I don’t like deep snow either, but thanks to spikes I drive much more safely than drivers on slippery roads. You just have to stay away from the skidding cars. And it’s wonderful to make the first tracks in the hoarfrost on a frosty morning on the dirt road.

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  4. Bike saves time ??
    I ride my bike sometimes on bad days . Rain protection, protection against the cold it took a lot of time to put all of this on and take it off, so there is no time advantage here. and if you have to go to the office, you don’t want to appear damp and crumpled at work. the rest of the points mentioned are fine. although cyclists are becoming more and more inconsiderate towards each other that sometimes it is safer to ride on the road than on the bike path. a labeling and insurance obligation is overdue.

    Reply

  5. commuter
    A combination of bicycle and public transport is ideal for commuters, as it combines the advantages of both. For this, however, you need safe and sufficient parking facilities for bicycles at the train stations or possibilities to take the bicycle with you on the bus and train. I recently got a folding bike that is no bigger than a normal piece of carry-on luggage. This will quickly get to the train station and am mobile and flexible at the destination. If you don’t want to travel to work in an overcrowded S-Bahn with lots of strangers, you should honestly admit it and not always give reasons why it wouldn’t be possible any other way. I am aware that there is often no acceptable public transport, especially in rural areas.

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