It’s a bold statement and it is said often that the cheapest way to travel is by bicycle. We know it is true, we also know that over shorter distances, upto 3 miles, it can also be quicker than any other form of transport even in the hilly city of Sheffield.
The map above of Sheffield shows 3 circles, at 2 miles, 2.5 miles and 3 miles from the city centre, in fact from our Cycle Hub in the City. We’ve done some maths and although this won’t be accurate for everyone and all journeys the majority of journey times for each circle by bicycle are as follows:
Inner Circle - 12 to 15 minutes
Middle Circle - 15 to 18 minutes
Outer Circle - 18 to 22 minutes
What is also important to realise here is that the outer circle which shows a 3 mile radius and this encompasses the majority of people living in Sheffield and also many of the employment areas of the City.
Sometimes, and we all do it, we think driving a car is quicker because the car can go faster than a bicycle but in reality and in a city like Sheffield that isn’t true, traffic jams, traffic lights, volume of traffic on the road and the time it takes to find a car parking space all contribute to delaying a car journey. Even when a bicycle is ridden on the road it can get ahead by filtering through the traffic, using cycle infrastructure to avoid things the delay cars and the ease with which a cycle parking space can be found not just in our hubs but also on the street.
Moving More also makes us feel better, happier, healthier and gives us energy, our sedentary lifestyles is contributing to many health issues and just by cycling 2 or 3 miles a day can combat things like diabetes, heart disease and even reduce your risk of dying of cancer (World Health Organisation).
Next time you get in your car start your stopwatch on your phone, obviously while you drive you aren’t allowed to touch your phone so no cheating, only stop the clock when you are parked and take a look at the time. It will surprise you!