Cycling is not only great exercise, but it can save you money in more ways than one. It’s clearly a healthier and cheaper commute and if you take it up in your free time, you just might notice more than fitness benefits. If you’re new to cycling, you could invest in a second-hand bike that won’t break the bank and start saving now.

The more you get used to riding your new bike, the more you’ll save. Here are seven reasons why.

Save Money on the Commute

Cycling is probably one of the cheapest alternatives to owning a car. It’s free to cycle around the city. You don’t have to worry about rising gas prices or visiting the car wash. You also won’t need to pay for public transport if you choose to cycle to work more often. This could reduce your monthly expenses dramatically. You can always drive or opt for public transport on rainy days if you’d rather not cycle. The more you get used to it, however, the less you’ll feel the need to be a fair weather cyclist.

Don’t Worry About Parking

One of the best things about cycling is that you can chain your bike up pretty much anywhere, except for against the odd historical buildings. This makes cycling much more convenient than driving as parking can often be a nuisance, not to mention expensive. By riding a bike instead you can save yourself the average price of parking each time. You won’t have to spend ages looking for a parking space either or end up parking miles away from the office if there’s no availability.

Save Money on Car Repairs

Bike repairs tend to be a lot cheaper than car repairs. Another thing to point out is the less you drive your car, the less often it’ll end up in the shop. The more you drive your car the higher the risks of accidents or a breakdown. If the unfortunate does happen, you may also find yourself in need of a reputable truck accident lawyer to help defend your case. Of course, road accidents are also possible on a bike, so it’s a good idea to have a contact for emergencies.

Ditch Your Gym Membership

Cycling is great cardio and can help to build muscle strength in your legs and throughout your body. If you take up regular outdoor exercise such as cycling, you may no longer need your expensive gym membership. You could reduce your membership to just swimming, for example, or go to individual workout classes from time to time. This will help to reduce your monthly expenses.

Enjoy a Cheap Day Out

Cycling is not only good exercise but it’s also a lot of fun. If you go on a bike ride somewhere nice, this can be a lovely yet low-cost day out. You could pack a picnic and explore hiking trails near you. Here is a bike route planner to help you discover hidden gems not far from your doorstep. You could even go on family bike rides, take your partner, or even long-distance road biking trips with your friends. You can find routes and trails available for all levels.

Improve Productivity at Work

Outdoor activity can help to boost your mental well-being and energy levels. If you opt for a healthier commute such as cycling this could, therefore, increase your productivity at work. You’ll arrive at work feeling fresh and energized and ready to take on any challenges. What’s more, you’ll even have had your exercise for the day so you can relax and focus on the task at hand. This is easier than trying to motivate yourself to go to the gym after a long hard day at work. You can cycle home at your own pace and treat yourself to anything you like in the evening.

Get Fit While on the Road

If you’re short of time, cycling is the ideal way to combine your fitness routine with getting from A to B. You won’t have to dedicate as much time to doing cardio as you’ll already have done this on your commute. Many places in the city also have cycle lanes and you can go whizzing past traffic. Cycling is, more often than not, a great time saver. This way you can not only save money on transport and in the gym, but also get extra me-time to spend how you like. You can then decide how you want to treat yourself with your cycling savings.