Cycling to Work is More Popular Than Ever

The Department for Transport  estimates that in 2020 cyclists travelled 5.03 billion vehicle miles (8.09 billion vehicle kilometres) – an increase of almost 46% from 2019. In 2020, there were more cyclists on UK roads than at any time since the 1960s. 

Is this merely a transitory trend? Or the beginning of a new era in transportation?

Year of the cyclist

In March 2020, as a means of limiting the spread of COVID-19, the UK entered its first national lockdown. Many workers found that they had additional free time, but with legal restrictions on travel and social contact, this free time wasn’t always easy to fill. The sudden lull in daily activity potentially heralded a sedentary lifestyle.

The UK Cycling Market in 2020 and the Impact of COVID-19 is a report  published in November 2020 by the Bicycle Association (BA). This report shows a 27% rise in bike sales between April and September 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. Cycling reached its peak in the weeks between mid-April and mid-June when levels regularly exceeded normal pre-COVID levels by more than 250%.

Life cycle

Cycling is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise, which can lower the risk of heart disease and other illnesses.

In all the cells of our bodies, nutrients (fuel) and oxygen (an oxidant) go through a series of biochemical reactions that result in the release of energy. This process is cellular respiration. Cardiovascular fitness refers to a body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently in cellular respiration.

Cardiovascular fitness is associated with increased levels of:

• Serotonin – a neurotransmitter that aids the regulation of appetite, bowel movements, sleep, mood, and other physiological
• Endorphins – a group of hormones that inhibit the communication of pain signals and stimulate a feeling of euphoria.
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – a protein that promotes the survival and function of neurons. A high level of BDNF is conducive to improved cognitive

Cycle to Work scheme

The Cycle to Work scheme, launched in 2017, is part of the government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.

“For individuals, it means cheaper travel and better health. For businesses, it means increased productivity and increased footfall in shops. And for society as a whole, it means lower congestion, better air quality, and vibrant, attractive places and communities.”

(From the introduction to the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy)

By the middle of 2020, the scheme had helped more than 1.6 million commuters cycle to work, involving over 40,000 employers  across the country.

Good hydration at work is essential for everyone, of course. But when staff begin the working day after a workout, it’s even more important that fresh drinking water is freely available.

Aqua Alto  is a sleek, mains-fed touch tap with the potential to dispense 45 litres of chilled, hot, or sparkling water every hour. Just one undercounter unit has the potential to feed up to three taps. A trio of taps – boiling, chilled, and sparkling – can be fed from one base unit, allowing for a time-efficient, space-saving hydration station.

Aqua Alto at BIKE-DROP

At multiple locations in central London, cyclists can take advantage of secure valet-style bicycle parking and maintenance. BIKE-DROP offers more than just parking. Customers can charge their e-bikes, get punctures repaired, and refill their water bottles.

BIKE-DROP were looking for a high-performance, energy-efficient, space-saving hydration solution, and it wanted a hydration partner with a commitment to sustainability.

They chose Aqua Alto taps  in a distinctive orange colour to match BIKE-DROP’s branding.

Contact us

To talk to us about Aqua Alto taps or any of our other products, including the gesture-controlled Aqua Touchless, call 0800 080 6696 or email hello@aqualibra.com. For a quote, please complete the online quote form.